Community justice social work: inspections of community payback orders
Between September 2018 and November 2020, we completed five inspections of justice social work services with a particular focus on community payback orders in these areas:
The inspection guide for these inspections summarises the activities involved.
The focus of our joint inspection
The focus of our joint inspection - children and young people subject to compulsory orders and living at home with their parents
Over the past four years, the Care Inspectorate and scrutiny partners have undertaken 15 joint inspections of services for children and young people at risk of harm. We will shortly be publishing an overview report. Aside from joint inspections, we also undertook a series of thematic reviews on specific topics including secure care; cross border placements; services for disabled children and young people and services for care experienced young people.
The last time that we carried out joint inspections of services for children who are looked after was between 2018 and 2020, in our joint inspections of services for children in need of care and protection. In our overview report we noted that:
- Children and young people subject to compulsory supervision orders and living at home with parents experienced the least improvement in their wellbeing, when compared to children looked after away from home in kinship, foster or residential care.
- Partnerships struggled to find the evidence to demonstrate tangible improvements in the wellbeing of looked after children and young people and in understanding performance trends concerning different looked after groups.
- There had been some progress in narrowing the educational attainment gap between looked after children and their peers, however, it remained too great.
- Not all care experienced children and young people had the same opportunities to share their views and meaningfully influence service delivery.
- The collaborative leadership of child protection was much more robust and embedded than that for corporate parenting.
There are also a range of other evidence sources that indicate there is a need for further exploration of the impact of services for children and young people subject to compulsory supervision orders and living at home with parents. In particular, Scottish Government’s publication, Educational Outcomes for looked after children 2022/23, evidences lower school attendance rates, higher school exclusion rates, lower positive destination rates and poorer attainment rates for children looked after at home, when compared to the wider group of looked after children.
By considering the experiences of children who are subject to compulsory supervision orders and living at home with their parents, we aim to better understand what is helping to improve outcomes for children and young people and what is getting in the way.
Our three key lines of enquiry are:
- Children and young people are well supported to live with their families. This support helps to keep them safe, overcome difficulties and makes a positive difference in their lives.
- The services children and young people receive are well planned and delivered in a way which is compassionate and by staff who put children and young people at the heart of decision-making. People in the workforce ensure that children, young people and parents are meaningfully listened to, heard and included.
- Leaders and managers work well together to create and maintain a joined-up system of care which delivers the right services to each child at the right time. This provides children and young people, their parents and the workforce with help, support and accountability.
Learning reviews
The Care Inspectorate, on behalf of the Scottish Government, acts as a central repository for all learning reviews carried out by child protection, adult protection and public protection committees in Scotland.
As part of our general duty of furthering improvement in the quality of social services, the Care Inspectorate is responsible for reviewing the effectiveness of the processes for each learning review and providing observations to individual chief officer groups and protection committees. This forms part of the Care Inspectorate’s improvement remit. The key aim in relation to learning reviews is to assist the sector in its continual development and improvement of the learning review approach.
National Guidance for Adult Protection Committees; Undertaking Learning Reviews was published in May 2022. The revised National Guidance for Child Protection Committees for Undertaking Learning Reviews was published in 2024. Both guidance documents clearly set out that adult and child protection committees should inform the Care Inspectorate of two things. Firstly, the decision about whether they are proceeding with a learning review and if not, the reasons for not doing so. Secondly, the outcome of the learning review, including an anonymised copy of the review report which should be sent to us.
For all situations considered under learning review guidance, a decision notification form should be completed. This electronic notification form should be completed at the point when a decision has been made whether to conduct a learning review, or to detail the reasons for not doing so. Committees are required to notify the Care Inspectorate of their decision to proceed, or not to proceed, to learning review using the learning review notification forms below.
In circumstances where protection committees agree to carry out an alternative review approach for learning they should submit anonymised completed reports or minutes that record learning and recommendations to the Care Inspectorate via secure e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. This will enable the Care Inspectorate to use the learning from these alternative approaches to inform the content of annual national overview reports. The Care Inspectorate will not provide observations to partnerships on these types of submissions.
Submission of learning review reports
Please submit the full learning review report via secure email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Any queries can also be directed to this address.
Quality improvement framework for the early learning and childcare sectors
The Quality improvement framework for the early learning and childcare sectors is available on the Education Scotland website.
It is important to note that the Care Inspectorate and Education Scotland are using the new framework for inspection from Monday 22 September 2025.
Read more about this in our latest joint statement, published on 18 September.
Frequently asked questions
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) we have compiled to accompany the framework. These address some of the key points raised with us so far, via stakeholders and during our recent workshops and webinars. We will keep these FAQs updated as new questions arise. We have also produced these FAQs on self-evaluation.
When is the framework being launched and where can I find it?
The framework was launched on 18 September 2025 and is being used in inspection from 22 September 2025. It can be accessed here.
You can access printable documents here.
- Introduction
- Childminding quality indicators
- Early learning and childcare quality indicators
- School age childcare quality indicators
Have recent inspections been done using the old framework or the new one?
Inspections by the Care Inspectorate and HM Inspectorate have been carried out using the previous frameworks up to and including 18 September 2025. Thereafter, all inspections will be undertaken using only the new framework.
The Care Inspectorate and HM Inspectors undertook pilot visits/inspections to test the quality indicators of the new Quality improvement framework for early learning and childcare sectors. In total, 75 pilot visits/inspections took place across 28 local authorities between February and April 2025.
Piloting the new framework allowed the Care Inspectorate inspectors and HM Inspectors to test it in live settings – from exploring the use of individual quality indicators to gathering feedback.
Thank you to every setting that volunteered to be part of these pilots.
HM Inspectors will undertake a small number of pilot inspections in September and October 2025 to further refine the inspection methodology for their single inspections using the new framework.
I am a primary school headteacher with a nursery class. Will my nursery class be inspected using the Quality improvement framework for the early leaning and childcare sectors?
Yes, HM Inspectors will begin using the Quality improvement framework for the early learning and childcare sectors in their pilot inspections from the 22 September 2025. From October 2025 the Care Inspectorate and HM Inspectors will both use the Quality improvement framework in all shared inspections.
I am due to have a further inspection from HM Inspectors or a follow up inspection from Care Inspectorate. What will the focus of my inspection be based on?
The further inspection or follow up inspection will focus on the areas for improvement and or requirements from the previous inspection. These will have been noted in previous letters and/or inspection reports.
What changes are being made to inspection methodology?
Both inspectorates have reviewed shared inspection approaches to increase collaboration and reduce unnecessary duplication. One of the changes being made to help reduce pre-inspection workload is that we will not ask for a self-evaluation paper in advance of inspection.
Is the ‘digital framework’ the same as the ‘shared framework’?
Yes, when we say the framework is digital, we are referring to the Quality improvement framework for the early learning and childcare sectors (a shared framework) being hosted online.
The digital nature of the framework offers several advantages: it simplifies searching for individual quality indicators, provides easy access to best practice guidance and ensures you always have the most current version when accessed online.
Will there be a printable version of the framework?
There is an option to download a printable PDF copy of the quality framework directly from the framework itself.
For those who prefer a printed PDF version of the framework, it's important to be alert to framework update communications so you can keep your printed PDF version up to date.
The framework is currently under refinement and we will communicate any changes made when the final version is published. We recommend that you wait until the launch of the framework in September before you print any sections.
Is the shared framework replacing How good is our early learning and childcare and A quality framework for daycare of children, childminding and school-aged childcare?
Yes. From 22 September 2025, the Care Inspectorate a nd HM Inspectors w ill be using the new ‘Quality improvement framework for the early learning and childcare sectors’ only. This framework replaces both How good is our early learning and childcare and A quality framework for daycare of children, ‘childminding and school-aged childcare.
Can we start using the new framework now?
Yes, many settings have already begun to use the Quality improvement framework for early learning and childcare settings to support their self-evaluation.
Is it ok to continue to use the current framework until September?
We understand that settings will adopt the new quality improvement framework when it best suits them, and that there will be a transition period as settings move away from How good is our early learning and childcare and A quality framework for daycare of children, childminding and school-aged childcare.
From 22 September 2025, the Care Inspectorate and Education Scotland will be using the new ‘Quality improvement framework for the early learning and childcare sectors’ only.
Not having numbered quality indicators makes referencing throughout multiple documents quite challenging/time consuming. Can we create our own coding system?
To meet user accessibility requirements, quality indicators are not numbered, and we encourage using their full titles.
We encourage you to focus on the wording of each quality indictor, for example, 'nurturing care and support'. However, if developing a coding system is helpful in your setting, you are free to do so.
We understand the framework may still feel unfamiliar, making it challenging to grasp initially. To help, we have created visual tables of the framework's headings and quality indicators. We hope these visuals support you in seeing the holistic nature of the framework and how all the different quality indictors contribute to quality practice.
Early learning and childcare
Heading |
Leadership |
Children thrive and develop in quality spaces |
Children play and learn |
Children are supported to achieve |
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Childminding
Heading |
Leadership |
Children thrive and develop in quality spaces |
Children play and learn |
Children are supported to achieve |
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School-aged childcare
Heading |
Leadership |
Children thrive and develop in quality spaces |
Children play and learn |
Children are supported to achieve |
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Will we be inspected on all quality indicators? Will we be told which quality indicators are focused on prior to inspections taking place?
The Care Inspectorate and Education Scotland issued a joint statement on 24 June 2025, specifying the quality indicators each inspectorate intends to inspect against. The complete statement is available here.
How many themes will be covered under each quality indicator?
All themes under each of the inspected against quality indicators will be considered.
Will reports reflect the new framework?
From22 September 2025, reports from both Education Scotland and the Care Inspectorate will reflect the ‘Quality improvement framework for the early learning and childcare sectors’.
What willshared inspection reports look like?
Inspection reports are being updated to align with the Quality improvement framework for the early learning and childcare sectors. They will continue to offer a summary of inspection findings to support your continuous improvement journey.
Will the Care Inspectorate and HM Inspectors carry out separate inspections?
Yes, both organisations will continue to undertake their own inspections, as well as shared inspections.
Which service types will be inspected by Care Inspectorate, and which will be inspected by HM Inspectors?
Both organisations will retain their current roles and responsibilities. The Care Inspectorate will continue to inspect all early learning and childcare (ELC) settings, including childminders and school-age childcare, regardless of whether they provide funded ELC or not.
HM Inspectors will inspect settings providing funded ELC (excluding childminders).
Both organisations will use the new framework for single and shared inspections from 22 September 2025.
Why are there not weak illustrations for all QIs?
In response to stakeholder feedback, the inspectorates have developed weak illustrations for all of the quality indicators. These will be included in the framework's launch version this September.
Why is there no separate transitions QI?
Both inspectorates recognise the importance of transitions at all stages of development and learning. We are currently refining the framework, and transitions has been considered. It is a key focus as we develop the final version, which will launch on 1 September 2025.
We will provide further support and guidance on how this is exemplified in the framework in future communications and engagement sessions.
Will the Care Inspectorate and HM Inspectors use shared evaluation criteria?
The Care Inspectorate and HM Inspectors worked together to develop shared criteria. The criteria has been refined following the pilot inspections and will be integrated into the framework for its launch in September.
While we will share an evaluation criteria, the frequency of inspections based on evaluations will continue to differ based on each inspectorate roles and responsibilities. For example, if a funded provider of Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) does not achieve "good" or higher evaluations from the Care Inspectorate, the Care Inspectorate will aim to revisit the service within the following inspection year. This approach is designed to align with the Scottish Early Learning and Childcare National Standard.
Will there be support for settings with their own self-evaluation using the new framework?
The Care Inspectorate and Education Scotland delivered sessions on self-evaluation using the new framework in May 2025. A recording of one of the webinars is available on our YouTube channel, and plans for further engagement around self-evaluation are being developed. Details of future sessions will be shared through the usual communications channels
Is there a Gaelic version of the new framework?
We aim to make a Gaelic version of the framework available when the framework is launched in September 2025.
Joint inspections of adult support and protection
Background
Phase 1 of our programme of joint inspections of adult support and protection took place during 2020-2023. Twenty-five joint inspections were carried out, and individual partnership reports were published. An overview, summarising the findings in these reports was also published, and is available here. This shaped our subsequent phase 2 approach.
Phase 2
In June 2023, the Scottish Government asked the Care Inspectorate to lead further joint inspection work with our inspection partners including, Healthcare Improvement Scotland and His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland. This commenced on 1 August 2023 and is scheduled to conclude in July 2025, and blends scrutiny activity with improvement support. There has been close collaboration with adult protection partnerships throughout.
The programme provides assurance on the quality of adult support and protection services in Scotland and promotes improvement activity through the development of a quality indicator framework and supported self-evaluation. Phase 2 of the programme comprises four workstreams.
Workstream 1
The joint inspection of the six adult support and protection partnerships first inspected in 2017.
The first year of our phase 2 programme included reviewing the progress of the six adult protection partnerships that were subject to adult support and protection inspections in 2017/18. The joint inspection team used the inspection methodology employed in Phase 1. These inspections focused on key processes and strategic leadership.
This programme of inspections was completed in May 2024 and included the North Ayrshire, Highland, Dundee, Aberdeenshire, East Dunbartonshire and Midlothian partnerships. Individual reports of the inspections have been published and can be accessed using the links above.
A joint inspection of adult support and protection overview report took account of the key findings from these six reports. This was published and can be accessed here.
Workstream 2
Development of a multi-agency quality improvement framework (QIF) for adult support and protection partnerships in Scotland.
Design of the QIF was undertaken in collaboration with The Scottish Government National Implementation Group self-evaluation subgroup. Four consultation workshop events took place, to which representatives from all health and social care partnerships across Scotland were invited. This included events in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Dundee, as well as one online session. These were held to provide an opportunity for the sector to comment on, refine, and enhance the draft framework. The sessions were attended by approximately eighty-four delegates representing almost all Health and Social Care Partnerships and the feedback gathered was then used to inform the final document.
- A working group was established that included joint inspection partners and representation from the national implementation group.
- The working group took careful consideration of the views from people with lived experience to ensure it was trauma informed.
- A communication plan was designed and implemented and four well attended engagement sessions were arranged
- The joint inspection team undertook a ‘you said, we did’ exercise with the national implementation self-evaluation subgroup to review the key themes from the four engagement sessions. We refined the QIF following their feedback.
- The QIF was published on 15 October and can be accessed here.
- This document will be promoted widely across the sector after its launch at a series of national events.
- This includes a formal launch at the Aspire event that took place on 28 November 2024
- This framework will support partnerships multi-agency self-evaluation of their adult support and protection arrangements and is designed to lead to improvement in services.
Workstream 3
This review of progress activity provides assurance of improvement in those partnerships where areas of weakness outweighed strengths in phase 1. This programme involves the South Ayrshire, Moray, West Lothian, Edinburgh, Orkney, and Western Isles partnerships.
Our file reading tool had previously been updated to reflect the changes in methodology and take account of the Scottish Government revised code of practice for adult support and protection (July 2022).
Completed workstream 3 progress reviews include South Ayrshire, West Lothian, Edinburgh and Moray. Individual reports will be published in due course for all six partnerships.
In these progress reviews we are using the following evaluations to measure progress.
Minimal progress: Improvement is minimal. The partnership’s overall approach to improvement is not comprehensive or put into practice. Its deployment and implementation are limited. It has not embedded improvements or they are still at the planning stage. It does not communicate improvements effectively and they are not well understood by staff. It does not assess and review the effectiveness of its improvement progress.
Some progress: Evidence of some improvement. The partnership’s approach to improvement is moderate. Its implementation and deployment of improvements are structured. It is beginning to embed improvements in practice. It communicates improvements partially and staff understand them reasonably well. It has limited measures to evaluate and review impact and outcomes for adults at risk of harm. It periodically assesses and reviews its improvement methodology.
Significant progress: Significant improvement. The partnership’s approach to improvement is comprehensive and embedded. Its deployment of improvements is well structured, implemented and effective. It communicates improvements purposefully, and staff understand them fully. It has effective measures to evaluate and review impact and outcomes for adults at risk of harm. It continually assesses and refines its improvement methodology.
The joint inspection team will also be re-visiting the Renfrewshire partnership to complete their phase 1 inspection that was interrupted by Covid-19 restrictions coming into force in March 2020.
Workstream 4
The joint inspection of adult support and protection team aims to work with volunteer partnerships, using the quality improvement framework developed in workstream 2, to undertake a programme of supported self-evaluation. Our focus will be on quality illustration 5.7 and those cases where it is difficult to determine the three-point criteria. During phase 1 activity some partnerships had promising initiatives aimed at developing their early intervention, prevention, and trauma informed approaches to this complex group of adults at risk of harm. We will work jointly with partnerships to assess the strengths of these initiatives.
This is an opportunity for partnerships to work alongside the joint inspection team to develop and implement the methodology. We will share learning and promote a deeper understanding about self-evaluation approaches and its impact on improvement work.
We have invited all adult support and protection partnerships to formally express a confirmed interest in this opportunity week commencing Monday 11 November 2024. We will look to confirm the partnerships selected prior to the end of December 2024 and commence work with them in January 2025.
A communication and engagement plan will be put in place once we have identified the partnerships we will be working with.
Related links:
Policy position on the use of restrictive practices
Introduction
Everyone in health and social care has a role to play in upholding people’s rights. This includes the right to person centred and trauma informed care and support. Restrictive practice which includes restraint, seclusion, segregation and other less direct practices may form part of a person’s plan of care or support. This includes all people from infants and children, through to young people, adults, and older people. This policy states our position on the use of restrictive practice in all services, to ensure this being the ‘last resort’ and where the risks and benefits to the person have been considered within a legal, ethical and practical framework. This statement should be read in conjunction with the guidance for specific services.
Definition
Restrictive practice is defined as making someone do something they do not want to do or stopping them from doing something they do want to do, by restricting or restraining them, or depriving them of their liberty.1
Restrictive practices relate to different types of restraint. This can be physical, mechanical, chemical, cultural, environmental or psychological restraint, surveillance or blanket rules.
Policy position statement
The Care Inspectorate is committed to upholding and promoting human rights and the rights of the child. These rights may only be restricted as a last resort, including in the use of restraint. The use of restrictive practices, including physical restraint, must be considered within a context of the conflict in the promotion of rights, independence and choice for children and adults, versus promoting and maintaining our duty of care.2 In law3, the use of force in any form is required to be justifiable, reasonable and proportionate. Practitioners may be required to take protective action to keep children and adults safe from harm that may affect rights, including choice, dignity and freedom. However, this must be delivered within a context of positive risk taking and compassionate care.
Legislation and standards
Whilst there is no specific piece of legislation that focusses on restraint, the Care Inspectorate is guided by the following legislation and standards.
The Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (Requirements for Care Services) Regulations 2011, which specifies:
- under welfare of users that “A provider must ensure that no service user is subject to restraint, unless it is the only practicable means of securing the welfare and safety of that or any other service user and there are exceptional circumstances” (4(1)(c)).
- under fitness of premises that “Accommodation must not be provided and used for the purpose of restricting the liberty of children in any residential premises where care services are provided unless such provision and use have been approved by the Scottish Ministers” (10 (3)).
The Health and Social Care Standards, which set out that:
- “If my independence, control and choice are restricted, this complies with relevant legislation and any restrictions are justified, kept to a minimum and carried out sensitively” (1.3).
- “My care and support meets my needs and is right for me” (1.19).
- “Any treatment or intervention that I experience is safe and effective” (1.24).
- “I experience warmth, kindness and compassion in how I am supported and cared for, including physical comfort when appropriate for me and the person supporting and caring for me” (3.9).
- “I am protected from harm, neglect, abuse, bullying and exploitation by people who have a clear understanding of their responsibilities” (3.20).
- “I experience care and support free from isolation because the location and type of premises enable me to be an active member of the local community if this is appropriate” (5.9).
- “If I experience 24 hour care, I am connected, including access to a telephone, radio, TV and the internet” (5.10).
- “I can independently access the parts of the premises I use and the environment has been designed to promote this” (5.11).
- “If I live in a care home, I can control the lighting, ventilation, heating and security of my bedroom” (5.12).
- CQC 2023
- Civil law
- Common law
More information about this self-evaluation
We will undertake this self-evaluation in two phases.
Phase 1: National self-evaluation – 2 September to 20 November 2024
All local authorities will be asked to undertake a self-evaluation against Quality Indicator 6.4: Performance Management and Quality Assurance, using a specially developed tool. The below online briefing provides an overview of the approach, the templates and the submission process.
The Care Inspectorate team will analyse the responses to identify key strengths and challenges emerging from the evaluations.
Phase 2 – Validation activity – 20 January to 24 February 2024
The Care Inspectorate will select four local authority areas and will work with them to validate their self-evaluation. This will include review of documentary evidence and focus groups with staff and people who use services.
Participating local authorities will receive a validation letter and feedback on their self-evaluation.
A final thematic report will be prepared summarising the findings of the national self-evaluation and the key messages emerging from the validation activity. This will reflect national messages and share information about examples of innovative practice – findings will not be attributed to individual local authorities.
What you will need
We have developed a blank template, with guidance, to support you to undertake the self-evaluation. This template is available in word to allow you to develop your responses over time and share it with colleagues. However, final submission of the self-evaluation will be via the smart survey. If you have used the word version of the template to compile your responses, please paste your answers in to our smart survey using the link below.
This is the link to the smart survey for submission. This link will go live on Monday 2 September. Please make your final submission on or before Wednesday 20 November.
We have provided an exemplar of what a completed self-evaluation template may look like for your reference and guidance. We have also provided a Quality Indicator 6.4 illustration.
For further information on privacy in relation to how this review is conducted please see our privacy statement.
Self-evaluation of performance and quality assurance in justice social work
This justice social work self-evaluation will focus on the current capacity of services to evidence performance, quality and outcomes in relation to community based sentences. The self-evaluation activities will be undertaken in two phases between September 2024 and March 2025. A national report will be published in May 2025.
The approach to this work will be informed by Quality Indicator 6.4 (Performance Management and Quality Assurance) which is drawn from the Care Inspectorate’s Guide to Self-Evaluation for Community Justice in Scotland. The aim is to develop a clear understanding of strengths and develop an evidence-base that informs local and national improvement initiatives.
By using a self-evaluation approach rather than a traditional inspection model, we hope to minimise the burden on local authorities whilst building capacity for improvement across the sector.
Useful links:
More information about the review
What will we do?
Between July 2024 and December 2024 we will carry out a review that will focus on social work governance and assurance in Scotland. We will answer the following question.
How well do social work governance and assurance arrangements support leaders to:
- Ensure statutory duties are carried out safely and effectively?
- Enable social work staff to be supported, accountable and effective in their practice?
- Assist social work staff to uphold core social work values?
What is the purpose of the review?
The purpose of the review is to add to the understanding of the role, remit, effectiveness and the current challenges facing social work services. We will do this by exploring the impact of governance and assurance arrangements. The review will:
- highlight the areas of influence for chief social worker officers, principal social workers and other key social work leaders as they provide governance and assurance
- explore the support and assistance provided by leaders and managers to encourage staff to uphold social work values in practice
- identify and disseminate information about what is working well
- recognise the challenges faced by local leaders and staff across the country and identify areas where improvement is required.
How will we do this?
A team of strategic inspectors from the Care Inspectorate will carry out the review. The scope of the review is relative to the current pressures currently being experienced by the sector. It is designed to be mindful of the impact on those leading and working in social work services. We will take a collaborative, flexible and supportive approach when working with local areas. Each area is asked to nominate a co-ordinator to act as a main point of contact for the review. The timeline below (figure 1) illustrates the core tasks being undertaken through the review. The key dates are outlined below.
How will we report our findings?
The review will conclude in December 2024. Using the principles of the European Framework for Quality Management (EFQM) model, we will analyse all of the information gathered systematically and will draw together messages for the sector. A national report will be published on our website in March 2025. We will also use other methods, such as webinars, to share the learning from the review.
For more information, please visit our website here.
Review timeline
Figure 1: Review timeline
Details about the review timeline
Date |
Type of activity |
More details |
| 15 July 2024 | Notification | Local authorities and HSCPs formally notified and asked to nominate a co-ordinator to act as a single point of contact by 19 July 2024.The following week co-ordinators receive detailed guidance about the review. |
| 5 - 16 August 2024 | Briefing sessions for co-ordinators | Co-ordinators invited to attend a virtual briefing session with the review team from the Care Inspectorate.Information about the review will be shared and there will be opportunities for co-ordinators to ask questions. |
| 19 August - 4 October 2024 | Staff survey | Local authority areas/HSCPs asked to share a staff survey for all frontline social work staff and first line managers. |
| 27 August 2024 | Document return | Co-ordinators asked to return a short list of documents to the partnership by this date. |
| 30 September - 1 November 2024 |
Interviews with leaders and focus groups | Structured interviews with Chief Social Work Officers and a maximum of two other people during this period.Middle/senior managers (e.g. operations managers, service managers) from each local authority invited to participate in themed virtual focus groups. |
| 17 March 2025 | National review report publication | National review report published on the Care Inspectorate website. A local staff survey report will be provided to each area after publication.Further opportunities to discuss findings will be arranged, including webinars. |
Key definitions
Some definitions to clarify the remit of the review:
By governance and assurance we mean: A robust system for assuring high standards in the delivery of safe, personalised and effective social work services [adapted from the definition in “Governance for quality social care in Scotland” SWS 2018]
By statutory duties we mean: those outlined in the “Role of the registered social worker in statutory interventions: guidance for Local Authorities” in relation to the wide range of statutory duties across children’s, adults and justice social work services [source: Role of registered social worker in statutory interventions: guidance for Local Authorities SG 2010].
By social work staff we mean: social workers and other staff employed to fulfil or support the delivery of statutory social work duties such as occupational therapists, paraprofessionals (social work assistants and justice assistants). For the purposes of this review, we will not involve staff who work in registered services (such as residential care home staff, housing support staff or similar), because they are already involved in inspections of regulated services.
By core social work values we mean: those outlined in the SSSC code of practice (May 2024) underpinned by the ethical principles of human rights and dignity, social justice and professional integrity [source: BASW Code of Ethics 2021]
Review of social work governance and assurance in Scotland
The Care Inspectorate has now published its final report following the review of social work governance and assurance across Scotland.
The review took place between July and December 2024 and sought to answer the following question.
How well do social work governance and assurance arrangements support leaders to:
- Ensure statutory duties are carried out safely and effectively?
- Enable social work staff to be supported, accountable and effective in their practice?
- Assist social work staff to uphold core social work values?
We looked at all areas of statutory social work including adults, children and justice social work services across all local authority areas in Scotland.
We heard from:
- 32 chief social work officers
- 64 senior leaders at head of service or equivalent level
- 159 operational managers
- 8 chief officers of health and social care partnerships
- 8 local authority chief executives
- 3,935 staff who responded to our survey
- Reviewed 1032 documents
We held a national webinar on 26 June 2025 and a recording can be watched below.
Key messages
Our review found that:
- Overall, social work leaders and managers worked effectively within often complicated governance arrangements. In most cases these arrangements were well understood by staff.
- Levels of oversight and assurance were enhanced by dedicated ‘social work governance boards’ or their equivalent.
- Social work influence was at times more limited within health and social care partnerships where it had a less equal level of representation.
- The role of the chief social work officer was important in promoting and amplifying the voice of social work.
- Staff, managers and leaders felt confident to promote and uphold values within social work services. There was a strong belief in the importance of social work values to support ethical practice.
- Overall social work assurance was mostly effective.
- Social work services were managing significant levels of risk relating to financial and staffing resources. The impact of both of these risks was amplified in island and rural settings.
- Overall, staff were supported to deliver effective services.
- Most social work staff benefitted from appropriate professional supervision arrangements and received learning and development opportunities which supported them to deliver their role.
High level messages for national consideration
- Scotland’s social work services were finding the ability to match supply with demand exacerbated by increased levels of complexity. This meant that social work was at risk of being unable to fulfil its statutory duties in some service areas.
- Staff were concerned that traditional relationship-based practice was being replaced by ‘transactional’ or ‘episodic’ engagement with people and children who use services. This was particularly the case within adult social work.
- A national approach is required to tackle the recruitment and retention crisis. Social work sustainability is particularly impacted by the enduring financial position. Change is needed to support the vital role of social work services.
We would like to thank everyone who participated in the review.
Our review report was published on 6 May 2025. You can read the full report below.