This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Progress on social services workforce
03/03/2003
Key targets for improving the social services workforce have been met but attention must now focus on long-term improvements, a seminar for social work experts was told today.
The Executive's 12-point social services workforce action plan, announced last year, highlighted short-term improvements as the groundwork for long-term development.
Speaking in Edinburgh Education and Young People Minister Cathy Jamieson said:
"We have made excellent progress delivering all elements of the action plan. We have not only met the targets set but have exceeded them and put in place additional measures to ensure we have a workforce equipped to deliver high quality services to the most vulnerable people in society.
"But we are not complacent, much still needs to be done to achieve sustainable, long-term improvements. We must ensure that social work services meet the needs of society's most vulnerable. They must work in partnership and provide integrated support to help social workers fulfil this crucial role. To help this process, I am setting up a new workforce planning group to work with the Scottish Social Services Council and employers across all sectors.
"We have introduced a range of measures to address the immediate problems but there is no quick fix. We must work in partnership to ensure we have first class social services to support those who most need them."
The Scottish Budget 2003-2006 will increase investment in the development of the social services workforce so that by 2006 this year's expenditure will have doubled.