Scottish Social Services Strategy

The launch of the strategy, also reported on in PSW Scotland was an uplifting afternoon on World Social Work Day. We heard from many speakers, including SASW Manager Trisha Hall. The ones that stuck in everyone’s minds were the young people from ‘Who Cares Scotland’ who delivered a passionate presentation in the form of a short play followed by testimonies from the young people. Martin’s, ‘Let’s have LOVE in care plans’ made a significant impression. We need to seriously think about how we can allow and support appropriate relationships which assist a young person we look after as a society. SASW believes it is important that we reflect on how we ensure these essential and healthy processes without the fear of more abuse enquiries in later years. How do we safeguard contact that nurtures and allows reassurance? We would welcome your views.

The afternoon was a good balance of aspirational objectives promoted by the Strategy, but centred within the context of everyday reality. All the speakers were clear that the work has not yet been done, it is just beginning.

The Strategy sets out the direction of travel, however the actions now need to come from the work force, leadership and the support agencies that are going to make ambitions measurable outcomes. SASW is committed to supporting and advocating for social work’s role within the Strategy - we have the knowledge, code of ethics and the right tools as social workers - so we must ensure we can do the job for the people we serve.

Please invite us to your local practitioner groups and forums so that we can assist you in putting actions into practise. It is time for social work to stand up and be counted! We should be proud of what we do, and the Strategy can enable us to achieve this.

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