Membership
Introduction
Social Work Scotland is a membership organisation which represents social workers and other professionals who lead and support social work across all sectors.
Our vision is of a social work profession led effectively and creatively, responsive to the needs of the people we support and protect, accessible and accountable, and which promotes social justice across Scotland.
Members are at the heart of our organisation and carry out many functions which enable us to collectively progress towards our vision. We create and support opportunities for members so that we can influence policy and practice and develop effective and creative leaders now and for the future.
Membership Categories
At Social Work Scotland we offer 3 different types of membership:
- Associate: with an Associate Membership you can contribute to the work of Social Work Scotland by attending any of our subgroups and the Workforce and Resources Standing Committee and receive discounts at national events.
- Ordinary: with an Ordinary Membership you can chair a subgroup, whilst also attending any of our Standing Committees and it gives you the ability to vote at our AGM.
- Executive: with an Executive Membership you can contribute further by attending and representing Social Work Scotland nationally or internationally, joining our Board and chairing a Standing Committee/Subgroup.
All members receive priority information and access to tailored events, as well as the opportunity to Chair subgroups.
No matter where you are in Scotland, as a member you will be a part of an international, professional community committed to social justice and human rights. In sharing expertise and learning experiences, we’re stronger with you as a member.
Corporate Sponsorship
At Social Work Scotland, we also offer a Corporate Sponsorship, which allows organisations to support the work of Social Work Scotland in providing a voice for social work managers and leaders at national level.
If you would like more information on becoming a Corporate Sponsor and the benefits of this, please contact us at admin@socialworkscotland.org.
Please note, if your employer organisation is a Corporate Sponsor of Social Work Scotland, you must still hold an Individual Membership to attend/represent at meetings.
Standing Committees and Subgroups
We’re proud that so many social workers want to be part of Social Work Scotland. Our committees and subgroups provide members with opportunities for networking, peer support, and sharing best practice with colleagues from across Scotland and, in some instances, beyond. By contributing to our committees and subgroups, you will have the opportunity to become an active parter in influencing the future of social work.
Find out more about our committees and subgroups.
About us
Our Core Team
Social Work Scotland is a membership organisation which represents social workers and other professionals who lead and support social work across all sectors. Our staff team is led by our Director and comprises a core team of staff as well as a team of policy and project staff.
Projects within Social Work Scotland
Self-Directed Support
Our SDS team has led the co-production of a series of supportive guides to support the implementation of Self-Directed Support. The SDS Standards is a collective agreement on what good looks like for Self-Directed Support; the SDS Practitioner Toolkit supports social work practitioners to practice in innovative and flexible ways which allow people to have greater choice and control in their own lives; and the SDS Learning and Improvement Framework supports implementers and leaders to make positive changes in how they implement Self-directed Support in their local areas.
In the future, we want to see social workers feeling more confident and enabled to use Self-Directed Support to work more collaboratively with supported people, and to co-design personalised support for people and their families uninhibited by structural barriers and inflexible systems.
You can find more information and resources on the SDS Library, Care Inspectorate.
Social Work Education Partnership
The SWEP Programme Office works closely with colleagues in the Scottish Government’s Office of the Chief Social Work Advisor and Social Work Scotland. Recognising the importance of a well-prepared social work workforce, key stakeholders from various sectors established SWEP. This partnership brings together Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), social work employers, professional bodies, and government agencies to enhance the accessibility, consistency, and quality of social work education across Scotland
Joint Interviewing Investigation Project
A National JII Project Team, made up of experienced social workers and police officers, was set up in November 2017 to develop a new approach to JII’s in Scotland, drawing on national and international research and best practice. This led to the development of the Scottish Child Interview Model for joint investigative interviewing and to a new, comprehensive training programme for child interviewers. This new model is now being implemented across all areas in Scotland.
The 2024 Status Report for the National JII Project captures key achievements and challenges to date.
More information is available here.
Events
Annual Conference and Exhibition: ‘Relationships as catalysts for change’ Thursday 9 October 2025, Glasgow
Our flagship event, the annual conference and exhibition, is an excellent opportunity to network and spend time with colleagues to reflect on the profession’s leadership, with world class speakers and curated panels to prompt discussion and inspiration.
This year, our conference theme is ‘Relationships’, acknowledging the power, practicalities, and pertinence as a relations-based practice in today’s challenging context.
Annual Conference and Exhibition: ‘Relationships as catalysts for change’ Thursday 9 October 2025, Glasgow
Adults social work practice is inherently multifaceted, touching every aspect of society. Regardless of the field a social worker operates in, working with adults is a universal component — be it supporting vulnerable children through parents and carers, collaborating with adults in justice-focused interventions, guiding young people into adult services, or offering family support at life’s end.
We will be profiling the interconnected nature of adults social work, across all professional operational fields, examining its opportunities and challenges.
Find out more about Social Work Scotland events.
Standing Committee/Subgroup Meetings
When you’re a member of Social Work Scotland, you’ll have the opportunity to attend in-person Standing Committee and Subgroups meetings. Our Standing Committees and Subgroups aim to meet once a year in-person (usually in Stirling or Falkirk), with the other recurring meetings online.
Representation at National Meetings
As a member of Social Work Scotland, you have the opportunity to represent us at national meetings and events.
Our Vice-Convenor, John Trainer, attended the European Social Services Conference in Malmo in June, along with our Digital Policy and Practice Advisor, Calum Campbell.
Cheers to the SDS Team
The Self-Directed Support Team within Social Work Scotland were shortlisted for the European Social Services Collaborative Practice Award in 2022!
Donna Murray, Project Officer for the SDS Team, also attended the Digital Health & Care Awards 2023 with Rachel Mason, a mother of 2 sons with Autism, who went on to win an award for the software solution developed for social care!
Setting the Bar reports
In summer of 2022, we published our Setting the Bar report, which looks at the capacity of Scotland’s social work workforce and asks ‘what will it take to deliver what we need?’.
Later that year, we published our second Setting the Bar report ‘Taking the Wheel’, providing further context, insight, and where possible, identification of potential solutions.
Chief Social Work Officer report
We published findings in our CSWO survey report 2023-24 which analyses responses from all 32 CSWO across Scotland, highlighting significant strain in the CSWO role including workload issues and external pressures.
Consultations
We respond to many different consultations which are relevant to social work – from broader human rights issues to technical legislative consultations. We also put together Briefings for Parliament on request; these are an opportunity for us to reflect members’ views and to provide a national leadership perspective for social work. When completing consultation responses or writing briefings for evidence, we will sometimes send out emails to members or bring this up at meetings to better reflect our membership’s views in responses.
Representing what matters to you
Our networks are an excellent way to raise policy and practice issues, to address national challenges and to be on the front foot as national developments evolve.
Annual General Meeting
Our AGM usually takes place towards the end of the year; an email invite will be sent out to all members along with the agenda and relevant papers.
This year, we aim for the AGM to be in-person, Thursday 8 October, Glasgow – the evening before our Annual Conference and Exhibition.
It is an excellent way to get an overview of the work the organisation has been doing over the last year, which is greatly supported by membership. Ordinary and Executive Members also have the option to vote on our changes to the Board and Standing Committee Chairs.
Read our AGM summary report 2024.
FAQ’s
How do I join a Standing Committee or Subgroup?
You can join a Standing Committee (Ordinary or Executive Membership) and Subgroup by contacting the Chairs or Admin Support via email, which you can find here. Associate Members can attend the Workforce and Resources Standing Committee, as well as any subgroups.
How do I chair a Standing Committee or Subgroup?
To chair a Standing Committee or Subgroup, you must hold at least an Ordinary Membership. Vacancies for chairing groups will be brought to attention at meetings and email correspondence, where you can submit your interest.
My employer is a Corporate Sponsor, does this mean I am entitled to Individual Membership Benefits?
A Corporate Sponsorship allows the sponsor to support the work of Social Work Scotland, who provide a voice for social work managers and leaders at a national level. If you would like to attend meetings and represent on behalf of Social Work Scotland, you must hold an Individual Membership.
How will my information be stored?
The personal data you provide us with will only be viewed by Social Work Scotland staff unless covered by subsequent sections of this Policy. The information provided by members on their application/renewal form, is the only information that Social Work Scotland stores of our members. You can view our privacy policy here.
