Moray Councillors were recently updated on the National Review of Social Work that will have significant implications for the ways in which services are organised and delivered across Scotland.  The 21^st Century Social Work Review was established in August 2004 by the Minister for Education and Young People and the Review Group is tasked to complete its work by October 2005 when a final report will be submitted to the Minister.   Moray Council was one of a small group of local authorities that played a major role in the Review’s first phase that focused on the gathering and analysis of evidence.

Members of the Community Services Committee were advised by John Sullivan, Head of Children and Families and Criminal Justice, that the Review Group had now published an interim report. He reported that a number of themes were emerging in a review process that is likely to herald the biggest change in social work for several decades. These themes include the need to have a balanced skill mix within the workforce to ensure that the valuable and skilled resources of social workers are used to full effect as well as the need to have easier access to more flexible services.

Sandy Riddell, Director of Community Services, welcomed the Review and Moray Council’s contribution to the process.  He stated, “ Social work touches the lives of many families locally and the tasks that social workers have to undertake, in conjunction with a range of other services, can be particularly complex”.  He added, “Moray Council, along with 5 other local authorities, have been chosen by the Review Group to be involved in further research. They are interested in some of the innovative ways in which we address need locally and it is to the credit of our staff that their initiative is being recognised in this way”.

Councillor Percy Watt has made representations as Chair of the Community Services Committee to both COSLA and the Association of Directors of Social Work on the 21^st Century Social Work Review.  He has welcomed the Review but has stressed the importance of local authorities being able to exercise flexibility in how services are designed and delivered in order that they can be tailored to meet local need.  Councillor Watt has however expressed concern that the question of resources had not been included as part of the original remit of this Review. Commenting on the initial findings of the Review Group Councillor Watt stated, “I’m pleased to see that at last there is some recognition that the proper resourcing of social work is crucial in the future. The challenges of changing demography and the increasing complexity of what our social workers are expected to do all bring pressures that have to be both managed and resourced”.  

Contact: Joyce Pirie, Public Relations Co-ordinator on 01343 563046