2.4 Partnership approach with the sector

Our partnership approach means we hear from a broad range of leaders and experts, and from frontline social workers and people with lived experience. 

• The National Social Work Agency, with COSLA and Social Work Scotland, leads the Scottish Social Work Partnership. We work together to ensure a skilled, supported and sustainable workforce in Scotland. A national strategic plan for social work will guide the Scottish Social Work Partnership work and be agreed jointly by Scottish Ministers and COSLA leaders. Progress will be reported to Scottish Ministers, COSLA leaders and sector partners, and will form part of the National Chief Social Work Adviser’s annual report on the state of social work in Scotland.
• We work with membership organisations and trade unions, inspection and regulatory bodies, improvement agencies, higher education providers and others, to shape national planning and create improvements across the social work sector.
• We fund the Social Work Professional Support Service to offer free peer-led coaching support service for social workers and social work students.
• We work with Scottish Association of Social Work and Social Work Scotland to fund the Social Work Policy Panel to bridge the gap between frontline social workers and the organisations that develop and implement policy. 
• We actively seek views from people with lived experience and we aim to engage with national support networks to ensure diverse perspectives.