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NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SOCIAL SERVICE WORKFORCE IN SCOTLAND 2005 - 2010: A PLAN FOR ACTION
Scottish Executive
Deputy Minister for Education & Young People
Euan Robson MSP Chief Executives of Local Authorities
Chief Executives of NHS Boards
Directors of Education
Directors of Personnel
Directors of Social Work
Chief Social Work Officers
Chairs of Childcare Partnerships
Childcare Partnerships Development Officers
Pre-5 Heads in Local Authorities
Care Commission Service Providers
Scottish Enterprise Network
Voluntary Organisations
Scottish Colleges of Further Education and Higher Education
Trade Unions
Other organisations and individuals (list on request) | Victoria Quay
Edinburgh EH6 6QQ Contact:
Sheena Brown
Telephone: 0131 244 0798
devstrategy@scotland.gsi.gov.uk Our ref: 17 December 2004 |
Dear Colleague,
CONSULTATION ON DRAFT NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SOCIAL SERVICE WORKFORCE IN SCOTLAND 2005 - 2010: A PLAN FOR ACTION
Our vision for the social service workforce is that it is confident, competent and valued. We all want a workforce that delivers high quality, person centred services and which is responsive to change. People who deliver services day in day out often do so for our most vulnerable people. The best quality services for the people of Scotland need the best quality workforce.
The National Workforce Group (NWG) was established in September 2003 to provide cohesion and strategic direction for the development of the social services workforce of the future. This draft national strategy for the development of the workforce is a key product of the work of the NWG. It marks a whole new stage for the development of the social service workforce setting out what needs to be done over the next five years and beyond to deliver a versatile and skilled workforce that is fit for purpose in the 21 st century.
The context in which we ask the workforce to deliver social services is complex and challenging. As chair of the NWG I am determined to see the status of the workforce raised. This national strategy is a key step in building the confidence of the workforce and public confidence in that workforce. The people of Scotland need to know that the workforce is properly equipped to deliver the services they need and want. As a result it sets challenging and ambitious targets for a range of stakeholders.
We have worked in partnership with many people to develop this document and we will continue to work closely with all those with an interest in the social services workforce to deliver our vision for the workforce.
There are a number of areas of work currently being taken forward by the Scottish Executive that will impact on what will be required of the workforce of the future as well as the training, skills and knowledge required. The strategy will need to take account of these as they develop. This includes the 21 st century review of social work and the review of the early education and childcare workforce.
I will be taking a keen interest in the consultation and look forward to hearing your views on the draft strategy.
EUAN ROBSON
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