Social work: Scottish Social Work Partnership
Overview
This group brings together national organisations to lead a shared vision for the future of social work. It will formally launch in June 2026.
The Scottish Social Work Partnership will be led by the National Social Work Agency, COSLA and Social Work Scotland. They will work together to ensure a skilled, supported and sustainable social work workforce in Scotland.
The group will identify priorities and develop actions to strengthen social work practice and support the workforce.
A national strategic plan for social work will guide the partnership’s work and be agreed jointly by Scottish ministers and COSLA leaders. Progress will be reported to ministers, COSLA leaders and sector partners, and will form part of the National Chief Social Work Adviser’s annual report on the state of social work in Scotland.
Members
- Eddie Follan, COSLA (principal partner)
- Iona Colvin, Scottish Government (principal partner)
- Ben Farrugia, Social Work Scotland (principal partner)
- Justina Murray, Aberlour Child Care Trust (representing third sector) (member)
- Claire Burns, CELCIS (member)
- Fiona Dyer, Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice (member)
- Keith Gardner, Community Justice Scotland (member)
- Jill Davey, Edinburgh Napier University (representing Heads of Social Work Programmes Group (member)
- Gary Spolander, Robert Gordon University, (representing Heads of Social Work Programmes Group) (member)
- Alison White, Health and Social Care Scotland (representing IJB Chief Officers) (member)
- Stuart Muirhead, IRISS (member)
- Gordon Paterson, NHS Education for Scotland (member)
- Mark McSherry, Risk Management Authority (member)
- Frank Reilly, Scottish Association of Social Work (member)
- Elaine Barrie, Society of Personnel and Development Scotland (member)
- Eddie Fraser, SOLACE (member)
- Fraser McKinlay, The Promise Scotland (member)
- Karen Davidson, UNISON Scotland (member)
- Stephen Smellie, UNISON Scotland (member)
- Jackie Irvine, Care Inspectorate (attendee)
- Jo Savege, Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland (attendee)
- Marie Allison, Scottish Social Services Council (attendee)