There is a "chasm" between the Scottish executive, the Association of Directors of Social Work and the Scottish Social Services Council, a conference in Edinburgh has heard.

Addie Stevenson, project manager for the ADSW’s front-line services initiative, said: "It feels like there is a huge chasm sometimes between the ADSW and the executive, and the executive and the Council. Some of that is about not knowing how we are working together."

Stevenson said an emphasis on supporting councils and national bodies to work "hand in glove" was essential if a better framework for the delivery of social work services in Scotland was to be achieved.

The front-line project aims to develop a framework for supporting staff across the 32 local authorities.