Briefing: The Scottish Social Work Partnership is a new national partnership bringing together Scottish Government Office of the Chief Social Work Adviser (soon-to-be National Social Work Agency (from spring 2026)), the local government organisation COSLA, and Social Work Scotland.

The Scottish Social Work Partnership (SSWP) has a single core aim: to ensure Scotland has a skilled, supported and sustainable social work workforce that upholds human rights, promotes social justice, and meets its statutory duties on behalf of local government.

Together, partners will:

• provide national oversight and understanding of the workforce, grounded in local expertise
• collaborate with other organisations to improve the quality, experience, impact and sustainability of the workforce
• deliver national activities and projects, plus a new strategic plan (2026–29) including priorities of, social work education and learning, workforce planning, and professional governance and leadership.

The SSWP is about making positive changes and improvements across the whole of the social work workforce, in turn supporting the people who rely on social work services Therefore, the work of the SSWP will encompass registered social workers and paraprofessionals who support social work services (e.g. social work assistants, residential childcare workers), local authority based occupational therapists, and student social workers.

Inclusion of these roles recognises the way they work together locally and the shared challenges. The work of the SSWP will shape the strengthening of learning, leadership and planning for a future workforce across all social work sectors, while bringing together national and local perspectives.

The SSWP has launched a national conversation to gather views from across the social work sector and the Engagement Pack is now live, with opportunities for you to shape future work – with your colleagues or as a team discussion, or your own thoughts.

An invitation to shape our future

Whether you’re passionate about inclusion, innovation, social work values or simply want to make sure your perspective is heard, this is your chance to contribute.

Click here to read the engagement pack and share your feedback - let’s make sure every voice is part of the conversation!

The SSWP is a tripartite approach, and feedback will shape the work of the SSWP to support the workforce and will also inform the planning of the NSWA.

The National Social Work Agency (NSWA), not to be confused with the Scottish Social Work Partnership, is a new executive agency of government launching in spring 2026 that will lead excellence and drive change in social work. The team in the Office of the Chief Social Work Adviser will move across to the NSWA.

Joanna Macdonald, the newly appointed National Chief Social Work Adviser, will lead the NSWA, and also serve as Chief Executive of the National Social Work Agency. This new dual appointment marks an exciting and significant step forward in strengthening social work leadership and collaboration across Scotland, enhancing the profession’s visibility within the Scottish Government and beyond.

This article was written by Social Work Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Social Work Partnership.