SWEP
2019 – 2025
Social Work Education Partnership (SWEP) was a national partnership of key stakeholders across Social Work and Social Work Education dedicated to shaping the future of social work education in Scotland and to quality, consistency, and effectiveness of social work education through collaboration, innovation, and strategic partnerships.
SWEP was established in 2019, actively working towards improvement of social work education across the board, until 2025 when the Scottish Social Work Partnership (COSLA, National Social Work Agency, and Social Work Scotland) was created. The work around social work education now continues in the education and learning workstream of the Scottish Social Work Partnership, formally launching in autumn 2026, who are working together to ensure a skilled, supported and sustainable social work workforce in Scotland.
History
The beginning of SWEP traces back to a pivotal moment – the Review of Social Work Education. The Statement on Progress 2015-2016 bore witness to a collective commitment to drive improvement and consistency across social work qualifying programs, setting the stage for a partnership-driven approach.
In 2019, SWEP was established, and in August 2020 it was expanded to be supported by the SWEP Programme Office; a central hub that led the coordination of SWEP’s collaborative work.
In 2022, SWEP’s mandate evolved to encompass support for the Advanced Social Work Practice Framework and the Newly Qualified Social Worker supported year and the focus for 2024-25 was developing national and regional infrastructures, ensuring high-quality practice learning opportunities, and actively contributing to the evolution of social work education through consultation and collaboration.
Mission
Our mission at SWEP is to futureproof social work education in Scotland by fostering national and regional partnerships and spearheading the implementation of progressive frameworks, and ensure those who plan and deliver social work education do so to the highest standard of learning and practice.
Vision
At SWEP, we envision a landscape where every social worker is equipped with the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to create positive change in the lives of individuals and communities.
Core Objectives
Consistency in Education
To ensuring consistent foundations in the development and delivery of social work qualifying programs, aligning with the Framework and Standards in Social Work Education (SiSWE), to drive ongoing enhancements in the quality of education across Scotland.
Practice Learning Excellence
Through national and regional strategies, to facilitate partnerships that provide comprehensive practice learning opportunities that ensure social work students are equipped to excel in real-world settings. This includes collaborating with local authorities and partners to create meaningful and impactful learning experiences.
Responsive to Change
Remain vigilant about developments in practice and policy, adapting social work qualifying programs to align with evolving requirements. Our goal is to foster a seamless integration of advancements into education.
