National Social Work Agency

The National Social Work Agency raises the profile and promotes the profession, drives innovation, and supports leadership by the National Chief Social Work Adviser to Scottish Ministers.

The National Social Work Agency (NSWA):

• raises the profile of social work and advocates for all social workers (statutory, third sector, independent sectors), including students
• supports the National Chief Social Work Adviser to provide national professional leadership
• provides professional, impartial social work advice to Scottish Ministers
• contributes to national policy that impacts social work practice
• oversees improvement priorities and promotes collaboration with improvement agencies in the sector
• holds policy responsibility and oversight of social work education and professional learning
• reports annually, via the National Chief Social Work Adviser, to Scottish Ministers on Scotland’s social work services and social work workforce
• works with partners (including COSLA and Social Work Scotland) through the Scottish Social Work Partnership (SSWP) to have oversight of national workforce planning and workforce numbers
• enables collaboration and delivery of the Strategic Plan for Social Work in Scotland (2026 to 2029), as part of the SSWP

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The Scottish Social Work Partnership

The NSWA is working with their partners, Social Work Scotland and COSLA, to develop the Scottish Social Work Partnership. They work together to ensure a skilled, supported and sustainable social work workforce in Scotland.

Find out more about the Scottish Social Work Partnership on gov.scot.