Ministerial Foreword
This report is the second of its kind to look at key trends in the Scottish Social Services Labour Market. It builds on the 2004 report and continues to develop our understanding of the social services workforce in Scotland.
There is a growing demand for social services in an increasingly complex world. In order to deliver an effective service to a population with high expectations we need to recognise that the success of social services depends on those who work in them.
This document will prove an invaluable source of good quality information that contributes to improved workforce planning and to the continuing development of effective policy decisions. It underlines the trends emerging in the first report such as demographic change and shifting working patterns across the age groups, a comparison between the genders, and differences between urban and rural locations. It covers early years and child care as well as social work and social care under the collective term of social services.
Being aware and taking account of such trends will be crucial for a range of stakeholders, from managers in the front line to government policy-makers. By doing so, we can continue to work towards ensuring all our social service providers have the right people in the right place, at the right time. This will not happen by accident. It will take time to achieve and this document will help in the planning of that future.
Robert Brown, MSP
Deputy Minister for Education and Young People