Concerns over direction of review

Delegates were concerned at the initial focus on qualified
social workers of the Scottish executive’s 21st Century
Working Group on social work.

Several contributors from the floor pointed out that much social
work takes place in multi-agency teams or in joint structures and
is carried out by staff without a social work qualification.
Focusing on the role of the social worker in isolation would not
give a true picture of the job.

Kate Vincent, director of social work services policy at the
Scottish executive, outlined the review’s aims announced in
July. In reply to the comments from delegates, she said that
“the remit of the review is already wide and looking at a
variety of social worker roles and allied professions”.

Vincent said that the review wanted to update the role of social
workers and provide them with resources and a legal framework for
the next 30 years. During the next two months the review team will
go to councils to consult with staff and managers and there would
be a formal consultation in February with a website.