Summary of assessment findings
The policy that underpins the creation of the NSWA can be tailored in its approach to addressing inequalities.
The NSWA can promote initiatives to upskill the workforce, such as career resources. The NSWA can also continue to support the implementation of a mandatory first year in practice for newly qualified social workers.
Another effective way to address inequalities would be for the proposed NSWA to undertake national workforce planning. This would allow for trends to be noted and incorporated into national workforce planning models.
While there is information about the financial struggles of social work students and the student population in Scotland more generally, it could be said there is a gap in the evidence with relation to the workforce. Setting the Bar documented the frustrations of the social work workforce, of which pay was one of them. This report did not provide specific details about trends where the respondents cited poor pay as a frustration: for example, geographic area, characteristics of respondents, etc. Such information would support targeted responses to reduce financial inequalities.
Although the SSSC have begun to collect information about vacancies and attrition rates in the workforce, this only illustrates workforce challenges more generally. More detailed information is needed about whether current salary levels and terms and conditions are affecting recruitment and retention rates in the social work sector, particularly amongst those from low income backgrounds.
There are also gaps in the evidence relating to the socio-economic circumstances of those supported by the social work profession. While there is some evidence21 indicating looked after children and children on the Child Protection Register are more likely to live in the most deprived areas in Scotland, there is no equivalent for other categories of people supported by social work. It may be the case that such data is held by local authorities.
The NSWA, with COSLA and Social Work Scotland, will create the Scottish Social Work Partnership (SSWP). Building relationships with local government as part of the SSWP may help with accessing casework data. For example, accessing a breakdown of social work caseload by the SIMD would support more effective service planning.
From carrying out the initial assessment, further credibility is given to the argument that the NSWA needs to exist as an executive agency. Powers allowing the collection of relevant data are needed to effectively plan for both the workforce and social work education. Such planning could help eradicate socio-economic inequalities and advance opportunities for those in socio-economically disadvantaged groups. Working with partners across the sector could help gain further insights into the socio-economic circumstances of those supported by the social work profession and support targeted solutions.