The Scottish Government

www.scotland.gov.uk

Scottish Executive ( SE)

The site covers a wide range of topics:

• people and society;
• education and training;
• health and community care;
• Government;
• economy;
• justice; and
• research.

There is policy and guidance available and information on national reports, consultations, news releases, etc.

www.21csocialwork.org

21st Century Social Work Review

Provides information on the work of the review including papers and work in progress. It covers:

• role of social workers;
• role of social work;
• leadership and management;
• performance improvement; and
• delivery of services.

The Review findings will be available early in 2006.

www.sssc.uk.com

Scottish Social Services Council ( SSSC)

The site details the regulatory requirements of social service workers in Scotland and provides information on:

• regulation of education and training for social services;
• national occupational standards and qualifications development; and
• workforce development and other work covered by the scope of the Sector Skills Council.

www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Education/social-care-social-work/18841/17856

National Workforce Group ( NWG)

The site provides information on the NWG's remit to:

develop a national strategy and action plan for the social work and social care workforce;

looking to the future, develop a strategy in line with changes in the labour market and the wider economic environment; and

advise Ministers on priorities.

www.student-support-saas.gov.uk

The Student Awards Agency for Scotland ( SAAS) is part of the Scottish Executive.

The SAAS deals with financial support and gives advice to eligible Scottish students in higher education throughout the UK.

www.carecommission.com

The Care Commission ( SCRC) - was established as the new, independent regulator set up under the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 to regulate care services in Scotland.

This site offers information on the Care Commission's key activities - registration, inspection, complaints and enforcement.

www.carescotland.org.uk

Care 21: Care for the 21st century.

Following extensive consultation, the change and innovation unit for social care in Scotland called CARE 21 was set up.

The unit's first major task is to map out the future of services for informal carers.

www.scottishenterprise.gov.uk

Scottish Enterprise.

Scottish Enterprise is Scotland's main economic development agency, funded by the Scottish Executive. Its mission is to help the people and businesses of Scotland succeed.

www.sqa.org.uk

The Scottish Qualifications Authority ( SQA). Scotland's national body for qualifications.

• SQA qualifications cover a wide range of skills and can be taken at colleges, training centres and the workplace.
• The SQA has a searchable qualifications database which allows you to search for specific qualifications and contains full details of all SVQs and related vocational qualifications offered in Scotland.

www.audit-scotland.gov.uk

Audit Scotland - Services the Accounts Commission and Auditor General to ensure that public sector bodies in Scotland make effective use of public funds.

Audit Scotland carry out independent audits to check that public bodies:

• manage their finances to the highest standards; and
• achieve the best possible value for public money.

www.futureskillsscotland.org.uk

Futureskills Scotland is part of Scottish Enterprise and Highlands & Islands Enterprise.

This organisation aims to analyse the Scottish labour market to inform policy making. It's work is aimed at a wide range of users from beginners to experts.

http://www.careers-scotland.org.uk/careersscotland

Careers Scotland.

The website is designed for anyone living and working in Scotland who wants to discover their potential. It provides services, information and support to individuals of all ages and stages of career planning.

www.disclosurescotland.co.uk

Disclosure Scotland.

Deals with disclosure applications required for certain positions in organisations for those working with children, young people and vulnerable adults.

www.communitiesscotland.gov.ukfuturebuildersscotland

Futurebuilders Scotland.

This is an £18m investment in the social economy to run over the financial years 2004-05/2005-06. Its purpose is to extend and strengthen the role of the social economy sector, the voluntary sector and charities in delivering better public services.

www.cosla.gov.uk

COSLA - The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities is the representative voice of Scottish local government.

Acts as the employers' association on behalf of all Scottish councils.

www.adsw.org.uk

The Association of Directors of Social Work website.

Aim is to promote social welfare and social inclusion and the interests those who use its services. The site has internal networks, on which all local authority Social Work Departments are represented.

www.projectstrada.org/website

Scottish Training in Drugs and Alcohol ( STRADA).

STRADA works to improve the skills of professional staff addressing drug and alcohol misuse throughout Scotland.

www.scld.org.uk

Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability ( SCLD).

The Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability was launched in 2001 in response to recommendations made in 'The Same as You? ( SAY)' and to provide expert advice and training for people with learning disabilities and their carers as well as contributing to a wide range of policy forums.

www.cjdc.ac.uk

Criminal Justice Development Centre ( CJDC) - works in partnership with the University of Stirling.

Links current research, knowledge and practice developments in the fields of criminal and youth justice social work.

www.dementia.stir.ac.uk

Dementia Services Development Centre.

The Dementia Services Development Centre exists to extend and improve services for people with dementia and their carers and are committed to providing learning opportunities for front line workers and managers in different settings.

www.sircc.strath.ac.uk

Scottish Institute for Residential Child Care ( SIRCC).

SIRCC ensures that residential child care staff through Scotland have access to the skills and knowledge they require to meet the needs of children and young people in care.

www.sieswe.org

Scottish Institute for Excellence in Social Work Education ( SIESWE).

SIESWE ensures the objectives of the new degree and related developments continue to be met, helping to strengthen the evidence base for practice and professional education and to help create, promote and support an employee development framework for the social service workforce in Scotland.

www.socialcaring.co.uk/default.asp

The Social Care Association ( SCA) - a major independent professional association.

The SCA works across all client groups in the statutory, voluntary and private sectors. The site has information on an extensive range of services it offers from policy development to education and training.

www.scie.org.uk

Social Care Institute for Excellence ( SCIE).

This is a key site for a range of information and research an all aspects of social care in the UK.

www.basw.co.uk

The British Association of Social Workers ( BASW) is the largest association representing social work and social workers in the UK.

BASW helps, supports, provides advice and campaigns for social workers whether qualified or unqualified, experienced or newly entering the profession.

www.ccpscotland.org

Community Care Providers Scotland - focuses on the concerns and interests of voluntary organisations who provide care services in Scotland.

This site provides voluntary organisations with information and support.

www.acsec.info/005trainingpages/022info/actan.htm

Association for Care Training and Assessment Networks ( ACTAN).

The site's main focus is on training and assessment within the care sector. It is committed to ensuring access to qualifications and training of staff operating at all levels.

www.skillsforhealth.org.uk

Skills for Health - the Sector Skills Council.

Skills for Health works with employers and other stakeholders to ensure that those working in the sector are equipped with the right skills to support the development and delivery of healthcare services.

www.workinginhealth.com

Working in Health Scotland.

The site is designed to be a practical guide for anyone working, or interested in working, in NHSScotland.

It has information on:

• workforce issues;
• practical information and tools for staff to improve team-working; communication skills, and motivation;
• sections devoted to standards and leadership.

www.nes.scot.nhs.uk

NHS Education for Scotland ( NES).

The site gives details on the aims of NES which includes:

• promote best practice in the education and lifelong learning of all NHS staff
• provide a range of educational materials and assesses training needs.

www.cci.scot.nhs.uk

Centre for Change and Innovation.

The site give details of current national programmes and local initiatives which aim to improve patient experiences. It has examples of change and best practice in clinical and service redesign.

www.executive.modern.nhs.uk

NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement - concerned with strategic advice and direction concerning learning.

This site contains a wealth of advice and information to help individuals lead change in the NHS, and to realise their personal development and career goals.

www.hpc-uk.org

The Health Professions Council ( HPC) - regulatory body for health professions - helps supports the training and development of HPC staff, as well as registrants.

The site has information on CPD standards which will become a legal requirement for health professionals across the UK. The first audit of the standards is due in August 2008.

www.nmc-uk.org

The Nursing and Midwifery Council ( NMC) - professional body - core function is to establish and improve standards of nursing and midwifery care.

• Provides nurses and midwives with free and confidential professional advice on the NMC's professional standards;
• has standards and guidelines for nursing and midwifery conduct, performance and ethics;
• provides advice for registrants on professional standards;
• details set standards and provides guidance for local supervising authorities for midwives; and
• provides information on NMC consultations and responses.

www.cot.org.uk

British Association of Occupational Therapists College of Occupational Therapists - professional body.

The site has info on discussion forums, COT publications and a specialist section for information sharing.

www.mhsc.org.uk

Managing Health and Social Care - site for health and social care modular open learning framework, hosted by the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement (formerly known as NHSU).

Managing Health and Social Care is a modular open learning framework of learning materials designed to support individual and organisational learning and development in the management of health and social care.

www.ilmscotland.com

Institute of Leadership and Management - ILM is based at City & Guilds.

ILM offers support to organisations and individuals in building leadership and management capability through membership, offering qualifications and accreditation with links to a network of local providers.

www.slfscotland.com

Scottish Leadership Foundation - was set up to build capacity for leadership and management in the public sector.

The SLF has:

• worked with national organisations to identify the leadership challenges facing them and developed action frameworks to enable them to meet these challenges;
• implemented the Leading to Deliver programme targeted at first line and middle mangers in local authority, voluntary and private sectors;
• delivered effective leadership solutions to local partnerships working on complex problems;
• developed women across the public, private and voluntary sectors to identify challenges to their progress and how they might overcome them.

www.managers.org.uk

Chartered Management Institute ( CMI) - CMI is a membership body for managers.

CMI provides access to a wide range of information on:

• current courses;
• seminars, books;
• resources;
• management programmes.

www.managers.org.uk/msu2001

Management Standards Centre.

This site offers easy access to the latest version of the revised national leadership and management standards.

www.managementandleadershipcouncil.org.uk

Council for Excellence in Management and Leadership ( CEML).

The Council has initiated a number of reports about the state of leadership and management in the UK. It has developed a business improvement tool for entrepreneurs, which is available online. There is also a good practice guide interactive toolkit.

www.city-andguilds.org.uk

City & Guilds - awarding body.

Provides information on the centres that offer a wide range of management and other qualifications.

www.mascot.uk.com

Modern Apprenticeships - The Modern Apprenticeship Summary Database for Scotland.

This database will be of interest to everyone involved in the management or delivery of modern apprenticeships in Scotland. It contains a summary of the content and main features of every modern apprenticeship currently available in Scotland.

www.scvo.org.uk

Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations ( SCVO) - the national body representing voluntary organisations.

SCVO focuses on issues that are generic to the majority of voluntary organisations and, through research and consultation with the sector, produces policy briefings on such areas as funding and public service delivery.

Wider organisational issues are also covered such as:

• employment;
• financial management;
• sustainability; and
• ICT.

www.acosvo.org.uk

Association of Chief Officers of Scottish Voluntary Organisations ( ACOSVO)

ACOSVO has an extensive professional development programme covering a range of topics and diverse speakers. ACOSVO deliver training, information and networking events. A signposting service to training opportunities from other providers is offered.

www.ccpscotland.org/workforceunit

Voluntary Sector Social Services Workforce Unit ( VSSSWU) - established by Community Care Providers Scotland ( CCPS) in collaboration with the Scottish Social Services Council ( SSSC) and funded by the Scottish Executive.

The VSSSWU supports and promotes the development of the voluntary sector social services workforce. The VSSSWU also liaises with employers in key areas such as:

• workforce development and intelligence;
• qualifications;
• recruitment and retention;
• national policy agenda; and
• collaborative working.

www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/People/Voluntary-Issues/15300/20789

Scottish Executive Voluntary Issues Unit.

This site provides sources of information on:

• funding;
• the strategic funding review (due to report in March 2006);
• a review of the Scottish Executive's Policies to Promote the Social Economy;
• the Scottish Compact; and
• information on grants available and how to apply.

www.scottishcare.org.uk

Scottish Care is the representative organisation of private care home owners and care at home providers in Scotland.

This site provides members with up to date information about the social care sector including a newsletter and policy information.

www.researchweb.org.uk

Research Web - Supporting Social Work Excellence for Scotland.

The site provides information on social work and social care practice and policy:

• up-to-date Scottish and UK research;
• a Diary Section listing training events, courses and conferences across Scotland; and
• online copies of the Research into Practice Bulletin.

www.storcuram.ac.uk/index.htm

The Learning Exchange (formerly known as Stòr Cùram).

The site aims to be a learning object repository and web-based library of learning resources, for social work educators. The project's digital repository, will be available to all social work educators in Scotland from November 2005 and eventually to the whole social service workplace.

www.resmind.swap.ac.uk

Research Mindedness is funded by the Social Care Institute for Excellence ( SCIE).

This site aims to help social care and social work students and practitioners make greater and more effective use of research in their studies and in practice.

www.sosig.ac.uk/roads/subject-listing/World-cat/socwork.html

Social Science Information Gateway - Social Work.

The Gateway provides an up to date list of high quality internet information for researchers and practitioners in the social work and social care sectors.

www.bl.uk

British Library.

The site gives access to a vast range of resources for research. There is an area tailored to business needs.

http://crll.gcal.ac.uk

The Centre for Research in Lifelong Learning ( CRLL) - is a joint initiative between Glasgow Caledonian University and the University of Scotland.

The Centre undertakes research to better understand the issues associated with lifelong learning and contribute to the development of future policy and provision.

www.soscn.org

Scottish Out Of School Care Network ( SOSCN).

Site for school-aged children, childcare and learning sector in Scotland. Provides information and links for parents, childcare workers and children.

www.surestartscotland.gov.uk

Sure Start Scotland ( SSS).

The site provides the policy contact for the ongoing oversight and development of SSS, along with links to local area programmes, UK work on Sure Start and a practitioners' discussion forum.

www.ltscotland.org.uk/earlyyears

Early Years Online.

The site provides support to practitioners involved in early years education. It has downloadable resources, information and guidance on recent developments in early years care and education.

www.childcarelink.gov.uk

Childcare Information Services ( ChIS).

Site provides internet access to local information on the availability of childcare and more general information on childcare issues on both a local and national basis. ChIS also provide professionals such as social workers and health visitors with up-to-date information on services available for children and families.

www.childminding.org

Scottish Childminding Association ( SCMA).

Site provides information and advice to registered childminders, parents, local authority workers and anyone with an interest or query about childminding.

www.childreninscotland.org.uk

Children in Scotland is a national agency for voluntary, statutory and professional organisations and individuals, working with children and their families in Scotland.

This site provides information on policy, research and training for early years practitioners. Children in Scotland is a voluntary organisation. Amongst other activities it runs conferences and training for professionals working with children and young people.

www.sppa.org.uk

Scottish Pre-School Play Association ( SPPA) - SPPA is a voluntary organisation that supports voluntary sector provision of pre-school education and childcare services.

The site provides access to the SPPA consultation responses to legislation and policy development in early years. It also provides access to training materials.

www.splp.uk.com/index.php

Scottish Practice Learning Project ( SPLP) is a joint initiative between the Scottish Social Services Council and the Scottish Institute for Excellence in Social Work Education.

The site keeps you up to date with the work of the SPLP and you can subscribe to its newsletter and bi-monthly ebulletin. SPLP was established in June 2004 to deliver a coherent national framework for the delivery of practice learning opportunities in the new social work degree and postgraduate programmes and to support employee development in the social service sector.

www.scqf.org.uk

Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework

( SCQF) - aims to help learners and providers of learning to understand how different learning programmes relate to each other. This enables everyone to identify the next best step in terms of developing a skill or gaining knowledge.

The SCQF will:

• signpost people of all ages and circumstances to appropriate educations and training;
• help people to plan and follow through their learning throughout a lifetime; and
• open up possibilities of entry to courses, of being able to transfer knowledge and experience gained previously, of exit and re-entry when career and family demands allow.

www.learndirectscotland.com

Learn Direct Scotland - the national gateway to learning - supporting a network of 500 learning centres across Scotland.

• Learndirect Scotland operates as an Executive Non Departmental Public Body to enhance the skills and employability of individuals and to enhance the competitiveness of businesses, especially SMEs.
• It operates helplines (0808 100 900 and for businesses 08456 000 111), websites and provides support to a network of 500 learning centres across Scotland.
• It holds the National Learning Opportunities Database and is a delivery partner for the ILA Scotland scheme.

www.direct.gov.uk/EducationAndLearning/AdultLearning/fs/en

Information site for adult learners.

This site brings together information to help adult learners when making decisions to take up a wide range of learning.

www.lifelonglearninguk.org/nationsregions/scotland_homepage.html

Life Long Learning UK ( LLUK) - aims to continually improve and expand its services in workforce development and planning in the lifelong learning sector.

The site acts as a central resource to reflect issues of relevance and concern such as:

• updates on key sector policies and strategies;
• relevant news items; and
• sector reports, publications and debates.

www.ssda.org.uk

Sector Skills Development Agency ( SSDA) - funds, supports and champions the new UK-wide network of employer-led Sector Skills Councils ( SSCs). UK-wide. The Skills for Business network comprises the SSDA and SSCs.

The SSDA activities include:

• funding, support and monitoring the performance of SSCs across the UK;
• ensuring skills provision is designed to meet sector needs;
• ensuring generic skills are effectively covered in the work of SSCs;
• promoting best practice sharing and benchmarking between sectors; and
• providing a website portal for public bodies and individuals to access high quality sectoral labour market intelligence across the UK.

www.sfc.ac.uk

The Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council ( SFC).

The SFC was established on 3 October 2005. It provides a strategic overview of tertiary education in Scotland and secures a more coherent system of high quality learning and research.

www.skillsforjustice.com

Skills for Justice - is the Sector Skills Council covering all employers, employees and volunteers working in the UK justice system.

Skills for Justice provide support to enable the justice sector to identify its current and future learning needs. It engages with learning providers in order to meet these needs with high quality development programmes. It links the acquisition of learning to reputable and valued qualifications. All of the above functions are done through 4 main work programmes.

www.fundingthefuture.org.uk/pages/thefoundation.asp

Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland - grantmaking trust which distributes over £6 million to charities throughout Scotland.

Aims to support and work in partnership with charities - especially those which help disadvantaged or disabled people to play a fuller role in their communities.

www.vds.org.uk

Volunteer Development Scotland: training and support on volunteer development - core funded by the Scottish Executive as the 'National Centre of Excellence in Volunteering'.

Provides training, advice and consultancy on all aspects of recruiting and supporting volunteers, including volunteers with higher support needs.

www.pwc.com/extweb/onlineforms.nsf/docid/D583FE760EE3061780256FFD0037E9BF

The Excelsior Diagnostic Tool: PricewaterhouseCoopers' software designed to be a one-stop-shop approach to improvement and self assessment.

Provides a prioritised improvement framework based on the self assessment of issues that reflect excellence and key quality standard principles. The tool takes the EFQM Excellence Model as the platform for the software, due to its holistic design.

www.cipfa.org.uk/scotland

The Chartered Institute for Public Finance and Accountancy ( CIPFA) - professional accountancy body specialising in public services.

Provides training courses, workshops and bespoke consultancy and training.

www.iipuk.co.uk

Investors in People (IiP) - supports organisational development.

It is possible to access information for research, cases studies from a variety of organisations and useful publications. It offers a model for leadership and extensive links to sites that support business development.

It publishes and promotes the good practice standard for investment in learning and development.

www.smallbusiness.co.uk

Small Business.

The site has an HR section which covers information on: employing staff, managing people and training for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises ( SMEs.)

www.skillsactive.com

SkillsActive is the Sector Skills Council for Active Leisure and Learning. SkillsActive is charged with leading the skills and productivity drive within the Sport and Recreation, Health and Fitness, Play-work, the Outdoors and Caravan industries.

Skills Active consults employers on the skills they need for their workforce and will produce a Sector Skills Agreement between: employers; the Government; funding partners and training providers to ensure those needs are met.

www.sfeu.ac.uk

The Scottish Further Education Unit ( SFEU) - support the development of learning and teaching in Scotland.

SFEU has been involved in development and support services for Scotland's colleges. A National Centre for Learning Effectiveness provides specialist support to Scottish colleges. The SFEU is currently undertaking development and support activity related to equality and diversity, implementation of NQ provision, new arrangements for HN qualifications and implementation of SCQF.

www.instituteofcustomerservice.com

The Institute of Customer Service ( ICS) - the independent professional body for customer service.

The ICS's main purpose is to lead customer service performance and professionalism. Activities include new findings on the links between organisational performance and staff reward and recognition.