Introduction by Maree Allison, Chief Executive of the SSSC

Valuing Practice: Scotland’s Framework for Social Work Education and Learning provides a single national structure for the professional development of social workers, from the day they walk into university until retirement.

It honours the unique identity of the social work profession and its essential contribution to Scotland’s communities. 

The framework draws on extensive engagement with students and practitioners, those delivering social work education, employers and people with lived experience of social work services. By collaborating with national and local partners and social work practitioners, the framework reflects a shared national commitment to strengthening social work education and professional learning.  

It reflects the changing pressures of practice, including technological advances, and incorporates the new Standards for Post-qualifying Education and Learning in Social Work. This ensures the framework is current, relevant and responsive to new ways of working.

Valuing Practice is underpinned by the SSSC’s:

• updated Scottish Requirements for Social Work Education 
• refreshed Standards in Social Work Education and Ethical Principles 
• new Standards for Post-qualifying Education and Learning in Social Work 

The framework will support structured developmental opportunities and accredited training for social workers at all stages of their career. Our aim is to ensure that social workers – whatever their role, experience or career stage – have access to the right learning, at the right time to sustain confident and skilled practice.

Maree Allison
Chief Executive, SSSC