Section 3 - Consultation and engagement
Is there any information already gathered through previous engagements?
In 2021, the Scottish Government publicly consulted on the NSWA proposals. Consultation analysis showed high levels of agreement with the suggested benefits of establishing a national social work agency. The following percentage of respondents supported the NSWA leading on:
- 81% - social work improvement
- 82% - social work education
- 82% - national framework for learning and development
- 77% - supporting workforce planning
- 77% - raising the status of social work
An independent analysis of the consultation was published on 10 February 2022.
The National Care Service consultation ran from 09 August to 02 November 2022. It received almost 1,300 responses from individuals and organisations. A number of consultation engagement events were also organised with frontline social workers to ensure their views were fed into the NSWA proposals.
Consultation responses from select island stakeholders
Argyll and Bute Council consultation response:
‘The Council opposes the suggestion that an NSWA should have a lead role in setting a national approach to terms and conditions, including pay. While it would be helpful to have national standards and best practice, potential duplication needs to be considered and the added value for our communities needs to be clear. Centralising workforce plans risks losing connection with local labour market information and situations, particularly in areas like Argyll and Bute.’
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
‘Comhairle welcomes this recommendation. The NSWA may raise the profile of social work in the eyes of the public, making the service a more attractive career choice. Having a workforce with an enhanced skill base will assist with improving outcomes. Concerns relating to governance.’
Highland Council
'An NCS will see change within the social work profession. As such, a national social work agency could play a key role in informing the profession as well as helping to drive up standards, promote a more positive perception of social work. Articulate the social work role including the significant benefits the profession can bring. It would also give social work a voice – something that is currently missing. Employers should retain legal basis for negotiating terms and conditions of employment.’
Highland Children and Young People’s Forum
‘Development of social work professional practice to ensure all levels of social workers keep up to date with applied research, in the way NHS staff must do, especially if they are seeking promoted posts.’
Orkney Islands Council
‘Whilst the stated aims for a National Social Work Service are inarguable, it will be important to ensure clear demarcation and avoid the potential for duplication and confusion. If an NSWA is needed consideration should be given to the creation of a standalone body.’
Scottish Association of Social Work (SASW)
With centralisation, there is risk of inflexibility and lack of local insight. Island and rural communities are likely to need approaches to deliver equivalent outcomes, but the inputs required for delivery may be quite different from an urban, central belt community.’
Shetland Islands Council
‘Ongoing challenges surrounding recruitment and staffing shortages. We can attract people to live and work in Shetland but accommodation can be an issue when people get here, it certainly needs support to recruit and retain staff. Concerns about out of hours services for social work were raised along with other points including: Professional confidence and loss of status/definition of job, health comes first and social care follow.
‘Shetland is different. I feel that Shetlands Islands Council and staff they employ deliver a high standard of support and care to vulnerable adults in Shetland. Care homes in Shetland differ from those on the Scottish mainland. Shetland is extremely good at keeping folks at home for longer.’
Shetland Public Protection Committee
‘Currently social work pay is locally regulated – a national framework (as for teachers) would assist in recruiting and keeping staff and improving pay. A national care service is not required to do this – as shown by the national arrangements for teachers. There are risks in removing social work from local control and local accountability.’
Social Work and Social Care Advisory Committee: NHS Highland
‘We would welcome the consolidation of the functions outlined within a national agency. This is predicated on the idea that it should reduce duplication and remove bureaucracy locally.’
Consultation timescales
The Scottish Government has given careful consideration to the consultation responses on the creation of the NSWA. The Scottish Government will work collaboratively with social workers, CSWOs, their employers and national stakeholders to ensure that the development of the NSWA meets the needs of the social work workforce.
During the design phase of the NSWA, a series of engagement events with stakeholders has been held and new ones will be held using existing delivery channels. Use of digital solutions will also be employed to help circumvent any geographic limitations.
Social Work Scotland has a Highland and Island subgroup that facilitates engagement. The Office of the Chief Social Work Adviser (OCSWA) also runs a standing meeting with all CSWOs, which we will continue to utilise for this purpose.
OCSWA previously sat on the Rural and Remote Workforce Recruitment Strategy Advisory Group with COSLA, considering the unique needs of the social work workforce in these communities. The NSWA will build upon the work of this group as part of its national workforce planning.