Chief Social Work Officer Report 2021 - 2022
Argyll and Bute Council · 24 November 2022
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COUNCIL HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE PARTNERSHIP 24 NOVEMBER 2022 CHIEF SOCIAL WORK OFFICER REPORT 2021 - 2022 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 2021/2022 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 24 NOVEMBER 2022 Chief Social Work Officers Report 2021/2022 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 2021/2022 is attached in Appendix 1. 2.3 These annual reports for 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 that time frame 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 relaxing of many pandemic related restrictions and the emerging ‘cost of living crisis’. These developments are generally out with the time frame of the CSWO Report being presented here. 2.5 Within the Report, tribute is paid to the efforts of social work and social care staff, along with all other public sector staff, through the pandemic period. 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 2021/ 2022. 3.2 Acknowledge the commitment of social work and social care staff in the delivery of services throughout the period of the pandemic. 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 2021/2022 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. Scottish Government are starting to discuss the introduction of national pay scales.
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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. 6.6 Climate Change None 6.7 Risk No specific corporate risk 6.8 Customer Service None David Gibson, Chief Social Work Officer 24th October 2022 For further information contact: David Gibson (david.gibson@argyll-bute.org.uk) APPENDICES Appendix 1: Chief Social Work Officer Report 2021/2022