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Publication - Strategy/plan

Framework agreement

Published
8 May 2026
Topic
Corporate and governance

Governance and accountability

Status as an Executive Agency means the NSWA has autonomy in carrying out its executive functions within the terms of this framework, while remaining directly accountable to the Scottish Ministers for the standards of its work.

The NSWA also has responsibility for providing honest, impartial and objective advice to the Scottish Ministers on policy in relation to social work. In providing such advice, the NSWA will operate in line with the Civil Service core values of integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.

The remainder of this section summarises the specific responsibilities and accountabilities of the key people involved in governance of the NSWA. 

Chief Executive

The Chief Executive is a civil servant who is personally accountable to the Scottish Ministers for the economic, effective and efficient operation of the NSWA. The Chief Executive is also appointed by the Principal Accountable Officer for the Scottish Administration (the Permanent Secretary) as the Accountable Officer for the NSWA, and the responsibilities of that role are set out below. 

The Chief Executive has overall responsibility for the delivery of the functions of the NSWA as set out in the Purpose section of this document, in accordance with the aims, policies and priorities of the Scottish Ministers. In fulfilling this responsibility, the Chief Executive will lead the agency and:

  • set strategic and operational plans to deliver the functions of the NSWA, focusing on how the work of the NSWA can most effectively contribute to achievement of the outcomes in the National Performance Framework, the Programme for Government and Scotland’s Economic Strategy in collaboration with the SG and other public bodies
  • lead the activity of the NSWA to deliver the aims, objectives and targets set out in plans and take decisions on remedial action where required
  • contribute to the development of Scottish Government policy by providing impartial advice to Scottish Government Ministers and Directorates in respect of social work practice and the delivery of statutory social work functions
  • ensure that effective governance is established and maintained, including ensuring that decision-taking is open and transparent and, with support from the Audit Committee, ensure that key risks are identified and managed
  • approve the annual report and accounts and ensure they are laid before the Scottish Parliament timeously
  • manage the budget for the NSWA in line with Scottish Government Finance guidance, policies and procedures, including the Scottish Public Finance Manual, the principles of Best Value, and ensure that appropriate financial appraisal and evaluation techniques are followed (see the Appraisal and Evaluation section of the Scottish Public Finance Manual (SPFM[A1.1]) to inform financial decisions
  • agree with the Portfolio Accountable Officer or other senior civil servant acting under delegated authority by the Portfolio Accountable Officer what information is required to enable scrutiny of the performance of the NSWA and progress against overall strategic and business plan aims and objectives, and ensure that the agreed information is provided and that it is both accurate and timely
  • where appropriate, manage relationships with the Portfolio Accountable Officer, with other SG officials who have an interest in the work of the NSWA, and other key stakeholders
  • promote the wellbeing, learning and development of staff and ensure that the NSWA meets the Agency staff management responsibilities described in the section below
  • ensure that effective arrangements are in place to provide assurance on risk management (including in respect of personnel, physical and cyber risks/threats/ hazards), governance and internal control
  • reply to correspondence from MSPs on operational issues within the NSWA’s responsibilities and supporting Ministers by preparing Ministerial briefing and responses to Ministerial correspondence and Written or Oral Parliamentary Questions
  • document the NSWA management arrangements, including the Chief Executive’s delegated authority and performance management arrangements

The Chief Executive in both their overall leadership role and the specific responsibilities of the Accountable Officer role will pay particular attention to the Key Governance Issues highlighted in the section on Governance and Risk below, and will ensure that the Portfolio Accountable Officer is notified as soon as possible if a significant risk or issue is identified relating to any of these matters.

Accountable Officer

The Principal Accountable Officer for the Scottish Administration will designate the Chief Executive of the NSWA as the Accountable Officer. The Accountable Officer is personally responsible for the propriety and regularity of the public finances of the NSWA and ensuring that its resources are used economically, efficiently and effectively, as required by section 15 of the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000 and may be called to give evidence to the Public Audit Committee of the Scottish Parliament. 

The responsibilities of the Accountable Officer are set out in full in the Memorandum to Accountable Officers for Parts of the Scottish Administration in the SPFM. 

The DG Portfolio Officer will approve the appointment of the Chief Executive in accordance with the Scottish Government’s resourcing policy and will hold them to account for the performance of the NSWA and its use of resources. Ministers are ultimately accountable to the Scottish Parliament for the performance of the NSWA.

Scottish Ministers

The Scottish Ministers will: 

  • agree the strategic aims, objectives and key targets of the NSWA as part of the corporate planning process, and regularly scrutinise progress made towards the aims, objectives and targets
  • agree the budget for the NSWA, secure the necessary Parliamentary approval and scrutinise the agency’s overall financial performance
  • approve pay remits or proposals and superannuation arrangements for the Chief Executive and staff of the NSWA, where these are not covered by Scottish Government Main terms and conditions
  • approve the Framework Document and any revisions made to it

Scottish Government Portfolio Accountable Officer

The Principal Accountable Officer for the Scottish Administration (the Permanent Secretary of the SG) has designated the Director General for Education and Justice as the Portfolio Accountable Officer (AO) for the SG portfolio budget which will provide funding for the NSWA.

The responsibilities of a Portfolio Accountable Officer are set out in detail in the Memorandum to Accountable Officers for Parts of the Scottish Administration.

The Portfolio AO is not directly accountable for the NSWA, but is responsible for ensuring that there is an effective framework in place for scrutiny of the operational and financial performance of the NSWA and the financial and other management controls applied to the NSWA. This document is the basis of that framework. 

The Portfolio AO will:

  • make sure this framework document is reviewed every 3-4 years and subsequently agreed to with the Scottish Ministers, and oversee the operation of the roles and responsibilities set out
  • ensure that financial and other management controls being applied by the NSWA are appropriate and sufficient to safeguard public funds and conform to the requirements both of propriety and of good financial management
  • ensure that the Chief Executive and Accountable Officer participates fully in DG risk assessment and assurance activity, including regular DG assurance meetings
  • ensure that the Chief Executive and/or senior NSWA staff with policy advice responsibility are routinely involved in relevant policy discussions in SG, including ensuring they are members of relevant cross-cutting or policy coordination groups, to ensure the overall coherence of policy advice being provided to the Scottish Ministers
  • support regular and effective engagement between the NSWA and the relevant Scottish Minister(s)
  • make sure there is clear, documented delegation of responsibilities to a Senior Lead Officer and/or other officials who are support the Portfolio AO in managing the relationship with the NSWA, and that the Chief Executive and senior team in the NSWA are aware of these delegated responsibilitie
  • appoint and performance appraise the Chief Executive, in line with Scottish Government resourcing and performance management policies

 The Portfolio AO remains personally answerable to the Scottish Parliament for the effectiveness of this framework.

Non-Executive Board Members 

The non-executive board members are appointed by the Chief Executive to bring an independent, external perspective to the work of the NSWA and are subject to annual performance review by the Chief Executive.

The Chief Executive will be supported in their role by a Management Advisory Board the members of which are the senior leadership team of the NSWA together with 4 on-executive board members.

The role of non-executive board members is to provide support and challenge to the Chief Executive and senior leadership team on strategy, significant operational issues, Best Value and overall governance. Non‑executive board members do not have decision‑making authority and do not constitute a statutory board.

Non-executive board members are not regulated public appointments, but the Chief Executive will ensure that they are recruited through fair and open competition and will particularly focus on promoting diversity by encouraging applications from less represented groups, including younger people, people from minority ethnic backgrounds and people with disabilities. 

Non‑executive board members will be expected to comply with the relevant standards of conduct, including the principles of public life, and to declare any actual or perceived conflicts of interest.

Scottish Government Senior Lead Officer

The Portfolio AO may delegate aspects of their responsibilities for the relationship with the NSWA to a Senior Lead Officer (SLO).

For the NSWA, the Portfolio AO (Director General for Education and Justice) will undertake the role of Senior Lead Officer. 

The Senior Lead Officer is a member of Scottish Government staff at Senior Civil Service level, from the relevant policy area. 

The Senior Lead Officer will:

  • develop and advise Ministers on the strategic direction of the NSWA in the context of wider departmental or cross-governmental objectives
  • agree a framework for strategic performance management
  • advise Ministers on their response to strategic performance information
  • advise the Chief Executive on steering the NSWA’s activities to ensure that they most effectively support the delivery of Ministers’ objectives
  • ensure the NSWA has the delegations and authorities necessary for effective delivery and continuous improvement

Information sharing between the Scottish Government and the NSWA

The National Chief Social Work Adviser (NCSWA), supported by the NSWA, is statutorily responsible for advising Scottish Ministers on policy in relation to social work and the protection of individuals at risk of harm – as set out in the Care Reform (Scotland) Act 2025. 

As an executive agency, the NSWA is not its own legal entity and is an integral part of Scottish Government. Staff within the NSWA are employed as civil servants and are accountable to Scottish Ministers. As such they are required to undertake their role in line with the Civil Service core values: integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality. 

NSWA staff are therefore able to share – and receive – relevant information in respect of the delivery of local social work services where there are issues of national importance to Scottish Ministers, such as safeguarding. 

By setting clear expectations and enabling collaborative approaches and information sharing, senior managers across the civil service can ensure the NSWA is fully informed and involved in all stages of policy and legislative development, as well as ensuring that Scottish Ministers are appropriately briefed and informed of relevant social work practice and public protection. 

Confidential information sharing and escalation of safeguarding concerns underpin this relationship. To facilitate this, the NCSWA and Deputy CSWA will also form part of the Senior Management Teams of relevant SG Directorates – Children & Families, NCS and Adult Social Care, Justice and Mental Health Directorate. 
 

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