Almost £17 million to be invested in Scottish workforce

Almost £17 million is to be invested into the Scottish social service workforce, the Scottish Social Services Council conference in Glasgow was told today.

The funding will be used to build a workforce based on priorities outlined in the National Strategy for Development of the Social Service Workforce.

Deputy education minister Robert Brown said: “We recognise it’s vital that our social service staff not only feel valued for their good work but are fully equipped and supported to undertake it.

“We are pointing the way forward, outlining what needs to be done and backing that up with significant extra resources. We will work together to ensure our social services sector is fit for the 21st century,” he added.

The 21st century social work review was commissioned by ministers in 2004 to look at all aspects of social work. The independent review group has now concluded its work and the report is expected to be published early in 2006.