National Social Work Agency to be created as Care Reform (Scotland) Bill passes

A raft of new reforms for social work in Scotland have been approved following the passing of the Care Reform Bill.

The Bill will bring forward a number of changes including a new role for a National Chief Social Work Adviser role to provide professional leadership and champion the sector, and plans for a new National Social Work Agency.

Though the exact responsibilities of the proposed agency are not yet in place, it is expected to have responsibility for a range of elements across the profession, such as social worker pay grades, workforce planning, training and development, and qualifications.

Angela Constance, Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs, speaking at the Scottish Association of Social Workers (SASW) conference in 2023 said: “I want [the agency] to have a standing at national level,” Constance told an audience of social work professionals at the online conference yesterday. “There is a real opportunity for the social work agency to be a powerful voice.”

Alongside the Bill, an advisory board will be established to drive progress and scrutinise reform, replacing an interim board that met for the first time in May.

“More than 200,000 people across Scotland access care each year,” Social Care Minister Maree Todd said.

“Anyone may need care during their lives, and that care should be high quality and delivered consistently across Scotland. That is why we have been so determined to bring forward much-needed reform, alongside the work we are already doing through the near £2.2 billion total investment in social care and integration in 2025-26.

“Reform is not easy to deliver and it is being made more challenging by recent UK Government changes to Employer National Insurance Contributions and changes to migration. These will undoubtedly impact on care delivery.

“However, we have remained steadfast in our commitment to deliver the sustainable change to social care that people urgently need.

“This is a significant step that will strengthen the rights of people living in care homes, support unpaid carers and social workers and improve experiences for the many people who access social care across Scotland.”

The Bill also brings forward reforms including Anne’s Law which upholds the rights of people living in adult care homes to see loved ones and identify an essential care supporter.

It will also strengthen support for unpaid carers by establishing a legal right to breaks, following the additional £13 million already allocated for up to 40,000 carers to take voluntary sector short breaks.

The Bill also hopes to empower people to access information on their care and improve access to independent advocacy to guarantee people are heard and involved in decisions about it.

Legislation to establish a new National Social Work Agency was first proposed as part of the National Care Service Bill in 2022. However, this Bill was dropped after opposition from MSPs and SASW warning that the proposed Bill ‘may have no positive influence’, with plans for the Agency were then rolled into the Care Reform (Scotland) Bill.