• Workforce Development
  • Changing Lives
• Learning
  • Continuous Learning Framework
  • eLearning
  • Mental Health Officer Award
  • PLQ and PLQ (SS)
  • Education / Training Providers
• Knowledge
  • Centres for Excellence
  • Communities of Practice
  • Knowledge Management Strategy
  • Managed Knowledge Network
  • SSKS
• Registration
  • Registration Key Information
• Workforce Planning
  • Sector Skills Assessment

Changing Lives

In 2004, Ministers commissioned the 21st Century Social Work Review. Changing Lives is the report of this Review. It sets out how social services need to change to meet the demands of Scotland's society now and in the future. It presents conclusions gained from extensive consultation across the sector and provides recommendations for change.

The 21st Century Social Work Review objectives

1. To clearly define the role and purpose of social workers and the social work profession
2. To identify improvements in the organisation and delivery of social work services
3. To develop a strong quality improvement framework and culture, supported by robust inspection
4. To strengthen leadership and management giving clear direction to the service
5. To ensure a competent and confident workforce
6. To review and if necessary to modernise legislation

Over-riding conclusions

1. Doing more of the same won’t work. Increasing demand, greater complexity and rising expectations mean that the current situation is not sustainable: tomorrow’s solutions will need to engage people as active participants, delivering accessible, responsive services of the highest quality and promoting wellbeing.
2. Social work services don’t have all of the answers. They need to work closely with other universal providers in all sectors to find new ways to design and deliver services across the public sector: tomorrow’s solutions will involve professionals, services and agencies from across the public, private and voluntary sectors in a concerted and joined-up effort, building new capacity in individuals, families and communities and focusing on preventing problems before they damage people’s life chances irreparably.
3. Social workers’ skills are highly valued and increasingly relevant to the changing needs of society. Yet we are far from making the best use of these skills: tomorrow’s solutions will need to make the best use of skills across the public sector workforce, refocusing on the core values of social work. Social workers will need to make effective use of therapeutic relationships and find new ways to manage risk.

Change Programmes

5 Change Programmes were created to focus on national action on key areas of development. These are chaired by social work leaders, with members from across the relevant fields.

1. Performance Improvement
2. Service Development
3. Leadership & Management
4. Practice Governance
5. Workforce

Core products

Core products have been developed from the Change Programmes to support delivery at a local level, including:

Continuous Learning Framework

Guidance On the Role of the Chief Social Work Officer

Leadership Framework

Personalisation: A Shared Understanding: Commissioning for Personalisation: A Personalised Commissioning Approach to Support and Care Services

Principles and Standards of Citizen Leadership

SWIA Guide to Supported Self-Evaluation