National Social Work Agency launches in Scotland on World Social Work Day

The National Social Work Agency was formally launched on 17 March to coincide with World Social Work Day. The organisation has been established as an executive agency of the Scottish Government to provide national leadership for social work and drive improvement in services.

The agency is led by Joanna Macdonald, who also holds the statutory role of National Chief Social Work Adviser. She hosted an online launch event for social workers to mark the start of the agency’s work.

The creation of the agency follows the Care Reform (Scotland) Act 2025 and a period of evidence gathering on the future of social work in Scotland. The legislation established the role of the National Chief Social Work Adviser, who must be a registered social worker and is responsible for providing independent, evidence-based professional advice to ministers on policy, practice and the protection of people at risk of harm.

The agency will work alongside partners including COSLA and Social Work Scotland through the Scottish Social Work Partnership, with the aim of aligning national priorities and supporting a sustainable workforce.

According to the Scottish Government, the agency’s remit includes providing professional advice to ministers, shaping national policy, overseeing social work education and professional learning, and leading improvement activity across the sector. It will also report annually on the state of social work services and workforce, and contribute to national workforce planning.

The agency has set out a vision of supporting the profession to promote social justice, protect rights and keep people safe. Its work will be guided by four core values: leadership, collaboration, excellence and equity.

Ministers say the creation of the agency is intended to lead to a stronger and more supported profession, more consistent practice expectations, and improved implementation of national policy. Plans also include the development of a national training plan and greater transparency through annual reporting.

The agency is expected to publish an interim corporate plan for 2026–27 and will work with social workers, students and people with lived experience as part of its development.

Macdonald said: “The NSWA will shine a light on the challenges and achievements of the profession,” adding that it would be “a progressive, collaborative and people focused national leader for social work excellence” and provide “clearer guidance, stronger national coordination and better support for practice.”

She added: “The NSWA brings a unified, authoritative national voice to champion the profession across government.”