Changing Lives

Changing Lives - the 21st Century Social Work Review was an independent review, commissioned in 2004, to examine all aspects of social work to improve its contribution to integrated services.  It particularly examined the following areas: 

• to define the role and purpose of social workers and the social work profession

• to identify improvements in the organisation and delivery of social work services

• to develop a strong quality improvement framework and culture; supported by robust inspection

• to strengthen leadership and management giving clear direction to the service

• to ensure a competent and confident workforce

• to review and if necessary modernise legislation

Findings

The findings of the Review were published in early 2006 and set out 13 recommendations for a new direction for social work services in Scotland.  These were based around three over-riding conclusions:

• Doing more of the same won’t work.  Increasing demand, greater complexity and rising expectations mean that the current situation is not sustainable.

• Social work services don’t have all the answers.  They need to work closely with other universal providers in all sectors to find new ways to design and deliver services across the public sector.

• Social workers’ skills are highly valued and increasingly relevant to the changing needs of society.  Yet we are far from making the best use of these skills

Implementation

The Scottish Executive have published an initial implementation plan for Changing Lives: 21st Century Review of Social Work. Five change programmes will be established, with funding of £14.82million to take work forward over the next two years.  The change programmes are: 

• Performance Improvement

• Service Development

• Workforce Development

• Practice Governance

• Leadership and Management

Alongside this a Scottish Executive cabinet delivery group, social work service forum, users and carers forum and practitioner fora will be established to provide national leadership and co-ordination and, new social work legislation will be introduced.

Regular updates on Changing Lives and good practice examples can be found at www.socialworkscotland.org.uk.