The Scottish Social Work Partnership (SSWP)

The NSWA will work in partnership with COSLA and Social Work Scotland through the SSWP to provide unified leadership, align priorities and drive sustainable improvement across the workforce. In partnership, they will address systemic challenges and support workforce sustainability, so the workforce can deliver higher quality, more consistent outcomes for people who need social work support.

The work of the NSWA will closely align with the SSWP, ensuring that national priorities are informed by the experience of those in local social work services.

Aim

The aim of the SSWP is to ensure Scotland has a skilled, supported and sustainable social work workforce; one that upholds human rights, promotes social justice, and discharges statutory duties on behalf of local government; and to harness evidence-informed practice, promote social work principles and reinforce the value of social work in all systems in which it operates.

A partnership approach

The SSWP will operate through a collaborative structure, governed by a jointly agreed memorandum of understanding and organisational governance framework. The SSWP Leadership Group (COSLA, NSWA, Social Work Scotland) sets the strategic direction and priorities, informed by advice and expertise from the SSWP Advisory Group. 

Advice and expertise to inform planning and improvement

The SSWP Advisory Group provides advice and expertise to the SSWP Leadership Group on current and future programmes of work. Its primary purpose is to inform strategic priorities, project and policy development and to support delivery of the SSWP Strategic Plan. 

The SSWP Strategic Plan will be jointly agreed by Scottish Ministers and COSLA Leaders. It is informed by engagement with the workforce, the sector and partners, and by people with lived experience of social work services.