Chief Social Work Officer Report 2023 - 2024
Argyll and Bute Council · 25 September 2024
Back to Argyll and Bute HSCP Integration Joint Board (IJB) — 25 September 2024 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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1 Integration Joint Board Date of Meeting: 25 September 2024 Title of Report: Chief Social Work Officer Report 2023/2024 Presented by: David Gibson The IJB is asked to: ▪ Note the content of the CSWO Report 2023/2024 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Chief Social Work Officer (CSWO) for each of Scotland’s 32 local authorities provides an annual report for Scottish Government. It is due in the autumn and relates to the previous financial year. The full CSWO report is attached. 2. INTRODUCTION The requirement for every local authority in Scotland to appoint a professionally qualified CSWO 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. There is a requirement to send a CSWO Report to Scottish Government each autumn covering the previous financial year. Attached in the CSWO Report for the financial year 2023/2024. It is acknowledged that there have been significant changes since the period relevant to the report. Within the body of the report tribute is paid to the continuing efforts of Social Work and Social Care staff to maintain services through a tumultuous period. This thanks requires to be re-iterated here.
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2 3. DETAIL OF REPORT The full CSWO Report 2023/2024 is attached. 4. RELEVANT DATA AND INDICATORS Contained within the attached report. 5. CONTRIBUTION TO STRATEGIC PRIORITIES Social Work is key to a significant number of strategic priorities. Reference to these are contained in the attached report 6. GOVERNANCE IMPLICATIONS 6.1 Financial Impact 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. This situation is clearly not financially viable or realistic in relation to the human resource. Significant reshaping and prioritisation will be required. 6.2 Staff Governance The full report sets out, as it did 12 months ago, significant staffing challenges. These will not be resolved by glossier or more numerous adverts. Example of multiple adverts for the one post are given in the report. There are fundamental shortages in the national workforce. As some authorities deal with this by raising wages, market forces are becoming a factor which must be considered. As mentioned above staff recruitment and retention is now perhaps the biggest restrictive factor in the maintenance and development of services. There is a clear need to reshape the work force as we reprioritise work to meet ensure we meet statutory responsibilities within Social Work and Social Care. 6.3 Clinical and Care Governance The CSWO Report is a key element of Clinical and Care Governance at both local and national level.
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3 7. PROFESSIONAL ADVISORY The CSWO is the professional advisor to the local authority on all social work matters. Through the scheme of delegation, is also the social work advisor to the IJB. 8. EQUALITY & DIVERSITY IMPLICATIONS None 9. GENERAL DATA PROTECTION PRINCIPLES COMPLIANCE None 10. RISK ASSESSMENT None 11. PUBLIC & USER INVOLVEMENT & ENGAGEMENT There is no public or user involvement as such in the compilation of the CSWO, however the report does evidence significant involvement and engagement activity throughout Social Work and Social Care. 12. CONCLUSIONS The IJB is asked to: • Note the key activities outlined in the CSWO Report. • Acknowledge the commitment of Social Work and Social Care staff throughout the period of the pandemic. • Note the report will be submitted to the Office of the Chief Social Work Advisor 13. DIRECTIONS Directions required to Council, NHS Board or both. Directions to: tick No Directions required x Argyll & Bute Council NHS Highland Health Board Argyll & Bute Council and NHS Highland Health Board REPORT AUTHOR AND CONTACT David Gibson david.gibson@argyll-bute.gov.uk