Response to the SSSC Workforce wellbeing survey 2025 from SASW

This should be a wake-up call to the Scottish Government and COSLA

We welcome the publication of the SSSC Have your Say Workforce Wellbeing Survey for 2026. This is an important temperature test of the social work and social care workforce in Scotland. This year’s survey results are as disappointing as they are predictable. The report indicates a workforce that is motivated by effecting positive change in the lives of the people they support, is engaged in training to develop skills and knowledge, and is committed to the work they do.

However, it also clearly illustrates that social workers are particularly struggling with unmanageable workloads, high staff turnover and burnout so severe that sickness related to their working conditions is responsible for the vast majority of sickness absences.

The only way to address these challenges is through changes to working conditions that bring manageable workloads, protected time for training and supervision, within teams that are resourced and supported with sufficient qualified workers and available routes to assist supported people.

This should be a wake-up call to the Scottish Government and COSLA that the crises in health and social care cannot be fixed without addressing the growing challenges within social work.

Read the survey:Have Your Say Workforce Wellbeing Survey report 2026 published