Social Work Policy Panel will contribute to co-design of the National Care Service

The Scottish Government has confirmed that the social work policy panel will have a role in the co-design process for the National Care Service Bill.

The legislation, which will transfer responsibility for delivery of social care services from local authorities into a new national care service, was published on 20 June. However, it is only a framework at this point. The Scottish Government intends for the detail to be shaped through co-design work with professionals, organisations and people with lived experience of the social care system.

The social work policy panel was set up in March to give frontline social workers the chance to share views with government officials on the design and implementation of the National Care Service. It meets online on the first Tuesday of each month from 1.00-2.30. All frontline social workers and students are invited to attend.

All views provided are anonymous and there's also the option to share written feedback if you cannot attend the meetings. 

Given the major implications that this Bill will have for the role and delivery of social work in Scotland, we would encourage all frontline social workers to make their views heard. Now that the policy panel is included in the co-design process, it is an even greater chance to directly influence and contribute to how this legislation takes shape.

If you would like to be involved or find out more, please contact our Policy Officer on jonny.adamson@basw.co.uk