Social work career stages
A social work career evolves through different stages, building knowledge, judgement and leadership at each level.
Newly qualified social worker
Your first year in practice is important. It helps you build on the knowledge and skills you developed during your degree.
It also broadens your understanding of your area of practice. It strengthens your knowledge of legislation and policy.
The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) sets out the core learning elements and activities for your supported first year in practice.
Social worker
As you progress in your career, you’ll benefit from the experience and practice wisdom of colleagues. Your development will remain grounded in the ethical standards and core values that guide professional social work practice.
Ongoing professional learning and access to high quality development opportunities are essential for sustaining confident, reflective practice. They also support you to continue as a capable and effective practitioner.
Advanced social worker
As an advanced social worker, you have strong professional judgement and well-developed practice wisdom. You draw on a deep and integrated body of knowledge, understanding and skills in your work.
You may also have a specialist area of practice through:
- assessing student practice
- achieving a specialist award
- contributing to academic research
You may be responsible for supporting other social workers and contributing to strategic approaches within your organisation.
As an experienced practitioner, you play an important role in promoting ongoing professional learning and sharing your practice knowledge and experience. This helps strengthen the capability and confidence of the social work workforce.
Strategic social worker
As a strategic-level social worker, you hold significant professional authority. This is underpinned by your extensive knowledge and practice wisdom.
You typically work in a senior leadership role. This involves shaping direction, guiding decision making and leading others through complex change.
Your understanding of Scotland’s national context informs your work. This enables you to influence local strategy and practice while contributing to national discussions and forums.
You play a vital role in strategic planning, management and provision of social work services or education.
At this level, you act as an important advocate for social work. Continuing professional learning is essential to maintaining effective leadership.
Strategic social workers make an important contribution to workforce learning and development.
Chief Social Work Officer
Every local authority must appoint a Chief Social Work Officer (CSWO). The CSWO provides strategic professional leadership and assurance across all statutory social work functions.
As a CSWO you're a qualified and registered social worker who follows the Standard for Chief Social Work Officers.
You bring the competence, confidence and professional authority needed to influence local decision-making. You provide clear, evidence-informed leadership.
In this role, you draw on extensive senior experience in operational and strategic management. You hold a deep understanding of complex practice areas, including child and adult protection and risk management.
As a CSWO you:
- promote local learning and development
- uphold social work values
- support a culture of continuing professional learning
CSWOs lead continuous improvement and support the development of services that reflect the needs of people who use them and their families.
You also promote evidence-informed practice and strengthen governance.
In this role you also:
- shape local strategic direction
- contribute to national forums
- advise elected members
- promote social workers’ learning and development
- strengthen governance and system learning