27 March 1996

Desk Officer: Mr J Williamson

Heads of Paid Service, New Councils

Copy to: Directors of Social Work, New Councils

Chief Social Work Officers, New Councils

Holders of SWSG Guidance Package

Dear Sir/Madam

THE QUALIFICATIONS OF CHIEF SOCIAL WORK OFFICERS (SCOTLAND) REGULATIONS 1996

Summary

1. Circulars SWSG 13/78 and SWSG 9/93 explained the terms of the Qualifications of Directors of Social Work (Scotland) Regulations 1978 and The Qualifications of Directors of Social Work (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 1993. This circular draws attention to The Qualifications of Chief Social Work Officers (Scotland) Regulations 1996, SI 1996 No 515 (S.49) which has been made by the Secretary of State and will come into effect on 1 April 1996.

2. The 1996 Regulations prescribe the qualifications to be held by the person appointed to the office of chief social work officer by a local authority under part 1 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968. The 1968 Act imposed an obligation on a local authority to appoint a Director of Social Work. The Local Government etc (Scotland) Act 1994 replaces that obligation as from 1 April 1996 with a requirement to appoint a Chief Social Work Officer.

Previous Guidance

3. The Qualifications of Directors of Social Work (Scotland) Regulations 1978 (SI 1978/1284) and The Qualifications of Directors of Social Work (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 1993 (SI 1993/578) are hereby revoked.

4. A copy of SI 1996/515 is attached. Additional copies of the Regulations can be purchased from HMSO, 71 Lothian Road, Edinburgh EH3 9AZ.

Contact Point

5. If you have any queries about the contents of this Circular, please contact Mr J Williamson, Social Work Services Inspectorate, Rm 37B, James Craig Walk, Edinburgh EH1 3BA (telephone: 0131-244-3737). [ To holders of The SWSG Circulars and Guidance Packages. This circular should be placed in Section A.6 of the volume containing "A. General" circulars.]

Yours faithfully

ANGUS SKINNER

Chief Inspector