This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Developing the social service workforce
09/11/2005
Nearly £17 million is to be invested to build a social service workforce based on priorities identified in the five-year National Strategy for Development of the Social Service Workforce, the Scottish Social Services Council Conference in Glasgow was told today.
The strategy's aim is to create a confident, highly skilled and valued workforce that is fit for the 21st century.
Deputy Education Minister Robert Brown said:
"Scotland's social services sector has a lot to be proud of. The dedicated workforce has an extremely important role, often in very difficult and challenging circumstances, to support and protect the most vulnerable in our society. The success of social services depends on those who work in them.
"The role they play cannot be underestimated and should not be undervalued, but the challenges presented by 21st century society mean we must ensure the workforce is fully able to give of their best.
"People who use services must be confident that those delivering the services they rely on bring with them the necessary skills and knowledge to meet their needs.
"We recognise it's vital that our social services staff not only feel valued for their good work but are fully equipped and supported to undertake it.
"We are pointing the way forward, outlining what needs to be done and backing that up with significant extra resources. We will work together to ensure our social services sector is fit for the 21st century."
The 21st century social work review was commissioned by Ministers in the summer of 2004, to take a fundamental look at all aspects of social work in order to strengthen its contribution to the delivery of integrated services. The independent review group has now concluded its work. The report of the review along with a response from the Executive expected to be published early in 2006.
The National Review of the Early Years and Childcare Workforce aimed to improve employment opportunities for early years and childcare staff and raise the status of the sector. It examined 5 areas:
- roles and responsibilities
- career pathways
- qualifications and training
- recruitment and retention
- and workforce planning
The report will be published in 2006.
Funding of £16.9 million over three years will be made available to local authorities and the independent sector to implement the Strategy. Local authorities will receive £11 million in 2006-2008 in Specific Training Grant funding with the independent sector directly receiving a further £2.9 million over 2006-2008. This will support the provision of training and development covering the social service workforce excluding early education and childcare. Seprate funding is available to support this sector.
A further £3 million in 2005-2008 will go to support 4 Learning Networks which are expected to take forward workforce development and workforce planning at a regional and local level. The networks will bring together employers across local authority and independent social service sectors, partner providers in health, housing and education as well as training providers, including universities and colleges.