Chief Social Work Officer Report 2023 - 2024
Argyll and Bute Council · 26 September 2024
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COUNCIL HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE PARTNERSHIP 26 SEPTEMBER 2024 CHIEF SOCIAL WORK OFFICER REPORT 2023 - 2024 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. 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 2023/2024 is attached in Appendix 1. It is important to note that the report relates to that time frame with only minimum reference to the period since.
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COUNCIL HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE PARTNERSHIP 26 SEPTEMBER 2024 CHIEF SOCIAL WORK OFFICER REPORT 2023 - 2024 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 2023/2024 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 time frame 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 Consider the key activities outlined in the attached CSWO Report 2023/2024. 3.2 Acknowledge the continued commitment of Social Work and Social Care staff in the delivery of services.
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3.3 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 2023/2024 5.0 CONCLUSION 5.1 As per recommendations. 6.0 IMPLICATIONS 6.1 Policy The large number of policy initiatives are dealt with in the body of 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 time frame 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. 6.3 Legal This Reports meets the Council’s obligations under Section 3 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968. 6.4 HR None
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6.5 Fairer Scotland Duty: 6.5.1 Equalities - protected characteristics None 6.5.2 Socio-economic Duty None 6.5.3 Islands It is undoubtedly harder to recruit suitably qualified Social Work and Social Care staff to live and work in our island communities. Close notice will require to be given to any worsening or emerging trends. Services on our islands are brittle and we recognise the potential to have to meet need differently going forward. 6.6 Climate Change None 6.7 Risk No specific corporate risk. 6.8 Customer Service None 6.9 UNCRC No direct implications David Gibson, Chief Social Work Officer 11th September 2024 For further information contact: David Gibson (david.gibson@argyll-bute.org.uk) APPENDICES Appendix 1: Chief Social Work Officer Report 2023/2024