We've recently refreshed operational joint guidance on the Age of Criminal Responsibility (Scotland) Act 2019 and developed flowcharts for joint investigative interviewing and inter-agency referral discussions. 🔗https://socialworkscotland.org/guidance/age-of-criminal-responsibility/

Chief Social Work Officers take the unusual step of issuing a joint statement declaring an emergency in availability of alternative care options for children. 🔗 socialworkscotland.org/briefings_st...

Today, we published guidance for cross border court reports and community orders. This guidance was developed with Scottish Government, SCTS, COPFS and CJS, HMPPS and HMCTS. 🔗 socialworkscotland.org/guidance/cro...

National Guidance on Diversion from Prosecution was published today by Community Justice Scotland. To complement, we have published practice guidance for social workers including a quick guide and templates. 🔗https://socialworkscotland.org/guidance/diversion-from-prosecution-practice-guidance/

Last week we welcomed 200+ social work practitioners, peers, and partners to our Justice Conference 2026 in Glasgow celebrating inspiring practice, acknowledging challenges, and looking towards shaping the future with pride and positivity ✨ Thanks to all involved! www.linkedin.com/posts/social...

Read our full joint statement with The Promise Scotland on supporting social workers in keeping the promise. 🔗 socialworkscotland.org/briefings_st...

Our new National Inter-agency Referral Discussions Project recently completed their first training session. Read more⬇️ socialworkscotland.org/new-ird-proj...

We recently responded to the Future of Secure Care and Single Point of Contact for Victims Consultation. 🔗 socialworkscotland.org/consultation...

Social Care in Prisons: Realising the Vision Scotland has made a clear commitment: deprivation of liberty should not mean deprivation of rights. Yet for too many people in our prisons, that principle remains aspirational rather than real. 🔗 : buff.ly/3lC62ok

✨ Innovate. Influence. Inspire. ✨ Our 2026 annual conference programme is now live - we'll be profiling creativity in complex systems, leadership and inspiration for meaningful change, and much more! 📅7 October, Glasgow 🎟️Early bird tickets end 21 April 🔗 socialworkscotland.org/sws-events/a...

Reframing adult social work 💭 Read why reframing the narrative matters, and how shifting the way we describe the system could open up new possibilities for investment, reform, and a more hopeful public conversation: socialworkscotland.org/reframing-ad...

Recruitment 📣 West Lothian Council are recruiting for a Head of Social Work Services (CSWO) and applications close soon on 23 March: myjobscotland.gov.uk/councils/wes...

Read our response to the consultation on the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 Remedial Order 2026. 🔗 socialworkscotland.org/consultation...

Read our joint briefing to MSPs with SASW and the Association of Palliative Care Social Workers voicing concerns around the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill (Scotland) Bill as it stands at stage 3. 🔗https://socialworkscotland.org/briefings_statements

We recently responded to consultations around a National Vision for Kinship Care, and Extension to FOISA for private a third sector services. Read more: socialworkscotland.org/publications/

We are pleased to present our call to action for the next Scottish government; Scotland in your hands. 12 months in the making, this has been shaped by members and partners including @scotssocialwork.bsky.social Read more: socialworkscotland.org/reports/a-ca... Ilustrator: Cassandra Harrison

Workshop applications for our Annual Conference and Exhibition 2026 close on Wed 4 March 🚨 More details: socialworkscotland.org/sws-events/a...

Read our recently submitted response to Scottish Government's consultation on a national vision for kinship care. 🔗https://socialworkscotland.org/consultations/response-to-national-vision-for-kinship-care-consultation/

Our Self-directed Support (SDS) team is one of 24 IMPACT projects announced to run 2026-27. The project will focus on strengthen voice, choice and control and we're excited for the next phase of this important work. Read more about IMPACT's projects 👇 impact.bham.ac.uk/2026/02/09/2...

Last week, the Scottish Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission published their report: Justice that Works. Read our response 👇 socialworkscotland.org/briefings_st...

We've now published our response to Undertaking Domestic Homicide and Suicide Reviews: Draft Statutory Guidance Consultation ✍️ 🔗 socialworkscotland.org/consultation...

Read our recently published paper on Funding for local government social work and social care services in 2026-27💡 🔗 socialworkscotland.org/reports/fund...

🚨 Workshop applications for our Justice Conference in June close soon 🚨 on Friday 13 February - form and submission details here: socialworkscotland.org/sws-events/j...

Social Work Scotland are proud to present four reports around the impacts of reductions to SDS personal budgets, and the state and future of funding in Scotland. We are now calling for a different kind of national conversation📣 Read more: socialworkscotland.org/reports/the-...

The next Social Work Policy Panel will explore Listening for Impact – A Care Experience Planning Conversation on 3 February 12-1pm 🗣️ 🔗 basw.co.uk/events/socia...

📣 Justice Conference 2026 is live 📣 Keynotes to include 🔸Joanna MacDonald, National Social Work Adviser, Scottish Government & Chief Executive, National Social Work Agency 🔸Cat Dalrymple, Director of Justice, Scottish Government 🔗https://socialworkscotland.org/sws-events/justice-conference-2026/

Our SDS Team are gearing up for their 2026 roadshows🚀alongside SDS Scotland supporting local areas on their SDS improvement journey. 📍West Dunbartonshire, Clackmannanshire, Stirling, South Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire 🔗 SDS Project and resources: socialworkscotland.org/sws-projects...

Recently, we sent a joint letter to Scottish Ministers, urgently calling for investment in social care, prevention, and the workforce to protect choice, control and dignity across Scotland. @incontrolscot.bsky.social and Coalition of Carers Read more: socialworkscotland.org/briefings_st...

There's still time to have your say on the Scottish Social Work Partnership’s vision for shaping a better future for social work in Scotland 🤞 Register for online engagement sessions on 20 January or 22 January 2026. socialworkscotland.org/scottish-soc...

Our Annual Report 2025 is now live, capturing highlights from the past year and looking ahead💫. Huge thanks to our members, partners, and wider networks for contributions, collaborations, and commitment to shaping the future of social work. 🔗 socialworkscotland.org/reports/annu...

Save the dates for our 2026 events!🎟️ 3 June - Justice Conference 8 October - Annual Conference & Exhibition Further details to be announced in the new year. 🔗https://socialworkscotland.org/events/

Join the next session of the Social Work Policy Panel tomorrow at 12noon. Prof Beth Weaver will share findings looking at AI in Justice Social Work. Join in to have your voice heard on the use of AI in social work. 🆓 Free 🔗 basw.co.uk/events/socia...

We've published our response to Section 38 Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act: Duty to notify: targeted consultation 👇 🔗https://socialworkscotland.org/consultations/response-to-section-38-duty-to-notify-consultation/

Have your say 🗣️ and help shape the future of social work in Scotland. How to get involved: 🔸Sign up to online sessions 20 and 22 January 🔸Read the engagement pack and complete the survey socialworkscotland.org/scottish-soc...

The first issue of the Scottish Social Work Partnership newsletter is now available! 🔗 socialworkscotland.org/wp-content/u... There's still time to 📣have your say📣 and help shape the future of social work in Scotland. 🔗 socialworkscotland.org/scottish-soc...

We are proud to support this letter and pre-election paper📣

Read our recent consultation for Parole Reform in Scotland 📣 socialworkscotland.org/consultation...

Enrol now for our newest eLearning module - Digital Safeguarding in Practice! Places cost only £30 per learner and can be combined with any of our other modules. Book now 👇 buff.ly/PmxRsT6

📣 Help Shape the Future of Social Work in Scotland 📣 The Scottish Social Work Partnership (Social Work Scotland, OCSWA and COSLA) is leading a national conversation to inform a new strategic plan for social work. Your voice matters! Have your say 👇 socialworkscotland.org/scottish-soc...

Our recent response to the financial transparency and profit limitation in children's residential care consultation is now live 💡 socialworkscotland.org/consultation...

One week to go - still time to register to hear more about the new Scottish Social Work Partnership and how to have your voice heard!⬇️

The next social Work Policy Panel, jointly run by SASW, OCSWA and Social Work Scotland, will provide an update on the new Scottish Social Work Partnership🤝. Register for free now to hear the update and have your voice heard on the next steps⬇️ basw.co.uk/events/socia...

Two weeks ago, we welcomed almost 300 delegates from all across Scotland to our Annual Conference and Exhibition: Relationships as catalysts for change💫, at a crucial yet compelling time for social work leaders, practitioners, and partners. Read more ➡️ socialworkscotland.org/annual-confe...

Social work profession - Social Work Scotland and SASW want to hear from you📣 🔗 www.surveymonkey.com/r/F2RQHKZ 📅 Closing date 30 October @scotssocialwork.bsky.social

We welcomed psychotherapist and author, Kate White, for an incredibly personable and powerful presentation on the power of attachment theory with particular focus on dementia. #swsconf25

Our delegates delved into workshops led by facilitators from all across Scotland: SCRA, @cycjscotland.bsky.social, Glasgow City Council HSCP, RCSLT, @perthandkinross.bsky.social Family Change, and @abshirecouncil.bsky.social Children's Wellbeing Team👥. Huge thanks to all! #swsconf25

We were delighted to hear reflections from Iona Colvin OBE, ahead of retirement, on her career and the state of social work in Scotland. Also, an exciting opportunity for social workers to engage with the new Scottish Social Work Partnership📣 🔗 socialworkscotland.org/scottish-soc... #swsconf25

An excellent update from our headline sponsor, Beam, on the success of Magic Notes - innovative AI tool for social workers - in Scottish local authorities, reducing admin time📉 and, crucially, improving relationships🤝. An impressive 150K recordings and 30K users per month across the UK. #swsconf25

We've had a brilliant morning here at @unistrathclyde.bsky.social Technology and Innovation Centre for our Annual Conference and Exhibition, hearing from our Convenor, John Trainer, Dr Pamela Trevithick, retired academic and author, and Susanne Miller, Chief Exec., Glasgow City Council. #swsconf25

Today we submitted our response to UK Government's call for evidence on Identification of Modern Day Slavery💡 🔗 socialworkscotland.org/consultation...