This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Social services report
29/01/2004
In his third annual report, Scotland's Chief Social Work Inspector says investment in services has doubled in the last ten years.
The report also highlights that, while the workforce is expanding rapidly, increasing demand for services means efforts to recruit and retain social workers must continue.
Chief Social Work Inspector Angus Skinner said:
"There has been considerable progress during the last year but, although social work services have advanced significantly, councils still face considerable challenges in delivering modern, effective social services.
"Our challenge is to secure further change within the profession and across all agencies. A culture of professional development and leadership will encourage more people to consider a career in social services.
"Investment in the profession is starting to make a difference. Councils are sharing best practice and this must be built on further over the next year. Social services are also working to reduce bureaucracy, make use of new technologies and strengthening their vital links with voluntary organisations.
"Councils are delivering services that put individual's needs at the centre and this will help keep social services at the leading edge of public service reform."
The Chief Social Work Inspector's annual report on the performance of Scotland's local authority social services departments can be viewed on the Social Work Inspectorate website: www.scotland.gov.uk/about/cs/unass/00015838/home.aspx
The report shows continuing upward trends in the numbers of people benefiting from services and in social work expenditure. Expenditure has risen from just over £800 million in 1991-92 to £1.8 billion in 2001-02. It also shows the problems caused by the current shortage of social workers particularly in children's services.
The social work annual report is published in two parts - an overview of developments and key themes in social work services and individual local authority summaries which will help authorities improve performance by focusing on key issues.