Social Work Scotland

Children & Young People's Centre for Justice (CYCJ) recently published three reports on Reimagining Secure Care: A Vision of the Future. 🚀 The final report outlines a transformative new option for the future of secure care in Scotland. Our Director and Children and Families Practice and Policy Lead were delighted to play a part in the process. Read more ➡ https://rebrand.ly/sjy2w5a

🎁 Annual Conference 2024 Wrap Up 🎁 Last week we had an incredibly inspiring day, hugely pertinent to the conference theme, 'developing leaders of the future'. We'd like to give 🎉 a massive round of applause to our enthused speakers, our Chair, the expert teams who ran workshops, and Starkevents for making the day such a success; 🤝 a special thanks to our headline sponsor Beam, supporting sponsors Kibble and includem, and all our exhibitors - returning supporters, alongside some lovely brand new faces; and 📢 a shout out to over 250 attendees who joined us and engaged with enthusiasm for the entire day. For now, it's on to the next one... SAVE THE DATE: 9 October 2025📆! #SWSConf24 Kathryn L. Dr. Toyin Adenugba B.SC MSW PGDip Ph.D Pennie Taylor John Trainer Phil Scraton David Lee Ben Farrugia Stuart Till Jess Findlay OLM Systems Scottish Association of Social Work Moore House Group Scottish Social Services Council tri.x Cornerstone Harmeny Education Trust CELCIS Glasgow Caledonian University University of the West of Scotland Common Weal Scotland University of Strathclyde Inverclyde Council COSLA The Scottish Government Unison Bethan Mann Ann Stark Flora Aldridge

"Circuitous political negotiations and staccato policy development have sapped stakeholders' trust" in a National Care Service... Yesterday, we submitted a letter to Scottish Parliament's Health, Social Care and Sport Committee alongside a submission spotlighting serious concerns over NCS Bill stage 2 scrutiny. Read more👉 https://rb.gy/ralx48

The afternoon session warmly welcomed Phil Scraton, Professor Emeritus, Queens University Belfast, who led the afternoon with an inspiring presentation on 'Bearing Witness to the ‘Pain of Others’: Fractured Lives, Dissenting Voices, Recovering Truth' a powerful reinforcement of social justice and human rights as the heart of the profession💛. Delegates were delighted to see a message from Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs, Angela Constance MSP, announcing a new social work Graduate Apprenticeship👩🎓 as an opportunity to making the profession more attainable, and reiterating 'social work matters'. Our Director, Ben Farrugia, closed the conference with warming, most-welcomed reflections on the day's discussions around developing leaders, echoing encouragingly that social work leaders can be (and are) 'agents for change'💫. #SWSConf24

It's been a great day so far at our Annual Conference! 👏 This morning, we heard from current leaders John Trainer, Convenor of Social Work Scotland and CSWO of Renfrewshire Council, and Kathryn L., Chief Executive of Angus Council, with opening remarks and keynotes pulling from their own leadership journeys and discussing how we can better pave the way for future leaders. Pennie Taylor, Freelance Journalist reflected on the role of the media in social work leadership and Dr. Toyin Adenugba B.SC MSW PGDip Ph.D, Social Worker, Academic Tutor, and Co-Chair of SASW joined all three for a panel discussion on what can be done across the board to help equip and enthuse leaders of today and tomorrow... chaired by the fantastic David Lee. Lots of food for thought for our delegates to discuss during break before heading into the interactive workshops!🗣 #SWSConf24

1 week to go 🥳 until our Annual Conference and Exhibition. We're looking forward to thought-provoking discussions around 'Developing leaders of the future' from our dynamic speaker line-up. #SWSConf24

🚨TICKET SALES END TODAY!🚨 It's your last chance to secure your spot to our annual conference on Wednesday 25 September. As our recent CSWO survey detailed, and recent public service budget cuts cement, pressures are rising at every level in the sector. With widespread issues of recruitments and retention, workload and capacity, support and development, it's as crucial time as ever to explore what needs to be done to help both existing and emerging leaders. Whether that be a 'leader' in a managerial position, or a 'leader' by pure example and flying the flag for social work... Join us for a timely and much needed deep-dive into 'Developing leaders of the future'🤝. Ticket sales end 23:59 Wednesday 11 September. Full agenda and tickets⬇️ http://rb.gy/ekqadn

Last chance to secure your spot to our annual conference, with ticket sales closing 23:59 Wednesday 11 September! 🚨 With social work leaders, and the entire sector, facing increasing pressures, what better time to deep-dive into how we can equip⚒ and enthuse💡 future leaders? Join us for a day of dynamic discussions around developing existing and emerging leaders🤝, alongside plenty networking opportunities to catch up with peers, and interactive workshops covering critical and forward-thinking topics 🧠 ... Agenda and tickets available ➡ http://rb.gy/ekqadn

With yesterday's announcement of public service budget cuts✂ it's timely to announce our Chief Social Work Officers (CSWOs) Annual Survey Report 2023-24📁. This report analyses survey responses from all 32 CSWOs in Scotland, spotlighting individual passion for upholding social work values alongside a seriously strained sector⚠. Full report available➡ https://rb.gy/5f0cdj

There's still time to secure your spot for our annual conference this month! Remember, each ticket includes access to the night-before social 🤝 ... 🥂 Social Work Scotland 'Social' 📆 18:00-20:00 Tuesday 24 September 2024 📍 The Social Hub, Glasgow Followed by a full day of networking opportunities, exciting exhibitions, and contributing to thought-provoking conversations 🧠 . 💼 Social Work Scotland Annual Conference and Exhibition 📆 8:00-16:30 Wednesday 25 September 2024 📍 TIC, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow Join us for a deep-dive into 'Developing leaders of the future' as we acknowledge the current sector-wide challenges, whilst exploring how to equip and enthuse leaders for today and tomorrow!👏 Full agenda and tickets🔗http://rb.gy/ekqadn