Chief Social Work Officer Report 2022/23
Argyll and Bute Council · 28 September 2023
Back to Argyll and Bute Council — 28 September 2023 and its agenda
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE PARTNERSHIP 28th September 2023 CHIEF SOCIAL WORK OFFICER REPORT 2022 - 2023 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 2022/2023 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 28th September 2023 Chief Social Work Officers Report 2022/2023 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 2022/2023 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, most saliently the volatile economic situation resulting in a ‘cost of living crisis’. 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.
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3.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 3.1 Note the key activities outline in the attached CSWO Report 2022/2023. 3.2 Acknowledge the continued commitment of social work and social care staff in the delivery of services. 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 2022/2023 5.0 CONCLUSION 5.1 As per recommendations. 6.0 IMPLICATIONS 6.1 Policy None 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 described in this report 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.
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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 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. None are noted in the year reported. 6.6 Climate Change None 6.7 Risk No specific corporate risk 6.8 Customer Service None David Gibson, Chief Social Work Officer 21st August 2023 For further information contact: David Gibson (david.gibson@argyll-bute.org.uk) APPENDICES Appendix 1: Chief Social Work Officer Report 2022/2023