Beyond the Red Lines: What you said
Over 250 Social Workers across Scotland responded to SASW's engagement on public service reform.
Their response was clear: reform must strengthen the ability of social workers to practice professionally, assess need honestly and advocate effectively for the people and communities they serve.
Across the responses, there was strong support for assessments that reflect people's actual needs rather than the services currently available.
- 51.9% said social workers should assess need independently of available resources, with unmet need recorded.
- 45.7% supported a balanced approach.
- Just 1.6% said assessments should be constrained by available resources.
Respondents consistently argued that social workers should be able to identify and record need accurately, while decisions about resources and service provision should be made transparently and separately.
"A return to real social work, not gatekeeping."
"We should be recording these needs accurately and acknowledging that there are gaps in service provision, rather than manipulating people into an assessment framework based on the available resources."
"True needs and outcome led assessments instead of service-led, bureaucratic decisions."
Trust professional judgement
Many respondents spoke about the impact of bureaucracy on practice and the importance of professional autonomy. The ability to build relationships, exercise judgement and work directly with people was repeatedly identified as central to effective social work.
"Social workers should not be faced with red tape and bureaucracy when it comes to assessing need and providing support."
For many, successful reform means creating the conditions for social workers to focus on practice rather than process.
Social work wants an equal voice
Partnership working was widely supported, but so too was the view that social work must have a strong and visible role within any integrated systems.
Responses on integration and future reform highlighted concerns about social work's influence and a desire for greater parity with health partners.
"Stop HSCPs being led by health."
"Social care should not be brought under NHS control."
"Social work should remain prioritised and not subsumed within the NHS."
"Social Work needs to be recognised as an equal partner in delivering for people and communities."
The bottom line
Taken together, these responses paint a picture of a profession that wants reform to strengthen professional judgement, reduce unnecessary bureaucracy, make unmet need visible and secure social work's place as an equal partner in shaping public services.
The views expressed in this survey appear incompatible with plans to place Adult Social Care into NHS control. We are running an additional short survey for one week to gather views on this specific aspect of reform plans.
