Chief Social Work Officer Annual Report 2024/25
Argyll and Bute Council · 24 September 2025
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COUNCIL HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE PARTNERSHIP 24 SEPTEMBER 2025 CHIEF SOCIAL WORK OFFICER REPORT 2024 - 2025 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Chief Social Work Officer (CSWO) for each of Scotland’s 32 local authorities is required to provide an annual report for Scottish Government. It is due in the autumn and relates to the previous financial year. It is important to note that the report relates to that timeframe with only minimum reference to the period since. There is a requirement for every local authority in Scotland to appoint a professionally qualified CSWO. This is set out in Section 3 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968. In Argyll & Bute the role of CSWO is held by the Head of Children, Families & Justice. The CSWO Report for the financial year 2024/2025 is attached in Appendix 1.
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COUNCIL HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE PARTNERSHIP 24 SEPTEMBER 2025 CHIEF SOCIAL WORK OFFICER REPORT 2024 - 2025 2.0 INTRODUCTION 2.1 The Chief Social Work Officer (CSWO) for each of Scotland’s 32 local authorities is required to provide an annual report for Scottish Government. It is due in the autumn and relates to the previous financial year. 2.2 The CSWO Report for the financial year 2024/2025 is attached in Appendix 1. 2.3 These annual reports from all CSWOs are submitted to the Office of the Chief Social Work Advisor (OCSWA) to the Scottish Government. OCSWA will subsequently produce an overview report setting out the state of Social Work and Social Care throughout Scotland. 2.4 It is important to note that the report relates to the timeframe of the last financial year with only minimum reference to the period since. It is fully acknowledged that there have been significant changes since the period relevant to the report, however these are not within the reporting timeframe. 2.5 Within the Report, tribute is paid to the efforts of Social Work and Social Care staff. This thanks requires to be re-iterated here. 3.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 3.1 Members are invited to note the key activities outlined in the attached CSWO Report 2024/2025. 3.2 Members are asked to acknowledge the continued commitment of Social Work and Social Care staff in the delivery of services.
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3.3 Members are asked to note that the Report will be submitted to the Office of the Child Social Work Adviser to the Scottish Government. 4.0 DETAIL 4.1 See attached CSWO Report 2024/2025 5.0 CONCLUSION 5.1 As per recommendations. 6.0 IMPLICATIONS 6.1 Policy A large number of policy and legislative initiatives are dealt with in the report. 6.2 Financial While there are no direct financial implications of this Report it should be noted that the recruitment crisis in Social Work and Social Care continues. There is a finite pool of qualified staff across the nation and some local authorities are increasing salaries to attract staff. Discussions on the formation of a National Social Work Agency continue with debate on a return to national pay and conditions for Social Work staff. During the timeframe of this CSWO report costs relating to commissioned services were continuing to rise at a time when public sector budgets were under strain. A number of third sector services ceased as a result of financial and staffing pressures. The cost of continuing to provide Social Work and Social Care services, during a period of rising need, is outstripping the available budgets and the available staffing resource. The financial position of the IJB is set out with the report. Without investment Social Work and Social Care services will continue to require to prioritise work and time scales for certain aspects of our responsibilities will lengthen. 6.3 Legal This Reports meets the Council’s obligations under Section 3 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968. 6.4 HR None 6.5 Customer Service None 6.6 Risk No specific corporate risk
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6.7 Climate Change None 6.8 Fairer Scotland Duty None 6.9 Equalities - protected characteristics None 6.10 Consumer Duty None 6.11 Island Communities It is undoubtedly harder to recruit suitably qualified Social Work and Social Care staff to live and work in our island communities. Services provided to our island communities are more precarious and limited than those on the mainland of Scotland. 6.12 Children’s Rights and Wellbeing No direct implications David Gibson, Chief Social Work Officer 25 August 2025 For further information contact: David Gibson (david.gibson@argyll-bute.org.uk) APPENDICES Appendix 1: Chief Social Work Officer Report 2024/2025