Review to focus on six departments

The “21st Century” review of social work in Scotland is to visit
six social work departments as it works on a blueprint for best
practice and structures.

Review chair William Roe said that social work practice in
Stirling, Fife, Glasgow, Moray, North Lanarkshire and Argyll and
Bute would be examined in depth.

The six have been selected because of their diversity, Roe said,
and follow initial presentations by Edinburgh, Fife and Glasgow to
the review team. Barnardo’s Scotland and the Church of Scotland
will also be looked at, he added.

Roe said the review team, which is expecting to report findings
to ministers in the autumn, will also look at recent developments
in England including children’s trusts and how structural changes
in social services have forged closer ties with health and
education. In addition, the role of chief social work officers will
be examined.

Although not initially within its scope, the review could still
be asked by ministers to look at pay rates for social workers, Roe
added.