Interim mainstreaming equality statement

Introduction

As an executive agency of the Scottish Government, we are civil servants and follow the Civil Service Code. We also support the Scottish Government’s diversity and inclusion strategy. We are accountable to Scottish Ministers.

As a government agency, the Equality Act 2010 Public Sector Equality Duty applies to us. This means we have a legal responsibility to give due regard to how we can:

• eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other unlawful conduct prohibited by the Equality Act
• advance equality of opportunity between people who share and people who do not share a relevant protected characteristic
• foster good relations between people who share and people who do not share a relevant protected characteristic

The National Social Work Agency and mainstreaming equality

The National Social Work Agency (NSWA) is an executive agency of the Scottish Government.

We are responsible for leading excellence and driving positive change across the social work profession in Scotland, and for providing expert impartial social work advice to Scottish Ministers and Scottish Government policy teams.

The NSWA is committed to mainstreaming equality: we will embed fairness, inclusion and equal opportunity into our systems, decisions and culture. We will aim to ensure that every colleague, team, and leader plays an active role in threading equality throughout everything we do.

The work of the NSWA will contribute to the Scottish Government’s national purpose: creating a more successful country where everyone can flourish through increased wellbeing, social justice and inclusive growth. The NSWA will contribute to Scotland’s National Outcomes:

• we grow up loved, safe and respected so that we can realise our full potential
• we live in communities that are inclusive, empowered, resilient and safe
• we are well educated, skilled and able to contribute to society
• we have thriving and innovative businesses with quality jobs and fair work for everyone
• we respect, protect and fulfil human rights and live free from discrimination
• we tackle poverty by sharing opportunities, wealth and power more equally

Why mainstreaming equality matters

Public Sector Equality Duty places a legal requirement upon public bodies to have due regard to eliminating discrimination, advancing equality of opportunity, and fostering good relations between people who share a protected characteristic, and those who do not. By taking this approach, we will comply with our Public Sector Equality Duty; as well as also champion positive change, advance the social work profession, and strive to address persistent inequalities.

Our organisation

Championing diversity and inclusion within our organisation will ensure that we reduce barriers and encourage development of our staff. We want to create a positive culture where colleagues are skilled, engaged and innovative in their roles. By doing this, our organisation will benefit from a broad range of experience and perspectives, better reflecting Scotland’s diverse communities.

The social work profession

The NSWA will champion equality within all aspects of the social work profession, empowering professionals to thrive and develop, delivering high quality services that meet the needs of those they support.

People in Scotland

People across Scotland will have better outcomes through engaging with social work services that are accessible, inclusive, and embed equality throughout.

Next steps

Building on this Interim Statement, we will develop an equality and diversity strategy setting out our aims, intentions and intended outcomes for mainstreaming equality, diversity and inclusion within the NSWA.

Aligning with the approach taken in the Scottish Government’s Equality and human rights mainstreaming strategy, the NSWA strategy will form the foundation of how we operate as an organisation, how we engage externally, and how we will advance equality of opportunity to drive positive change in the social work profession.

Reporting

At the end of the NSWA’s second year (towards March 2028), we will publish a report which looks back on progress made and how we have achieved the outcomes set out in our mainstreaming strategy document. The report will also identify recommendations which will enable the NSWA to make continuous improvements to our equality strategy, remaining focused on our goal of eradicating discrimination and maximising equality of opportunity across social work in Scotland.