Earlier this year, we told you about our work to review the qualification and modern apprenticeship frameworks. We have made good progress with this project, which will continue over the next two years, and are pleased to be able to provide an update. 

Applications to the 2025-26 Voluntary Sector Development Fund (VSDF) are now open. The fund supports voluntary sector organisations providing social services that are a registered charity and are registered with the Care Inspectorate.

We’ve published our latest six-monthly survey report on Scotland’s filled and vacant social worker and senior social worker posts in local authorities, presenting data from December 2024.

Our recent consultation on expanding the Register showed strong support for including the proposed new groups. The SSSC Council approved the proposal in May and we’re waiting for Scottish Ministers approval of the recommendations before going ahead.

We’re pleased to announce the popular leadership programme, You as a Collaborative Leader (YaCL) will run again in Autumn 2025. The programme is open to anyone working in health and social care, examples of who would be suitable for the programme are senior social workers and care home managers.

We are consulting on the introduction of English language requirements for qualified social workers. This proposal will ensure that we align with other social work regulators, as well as other regulated professionals including doctors, nurses, dentists and pharmacists. 

We are consulting on pre and post qualifying standards for social work education. The standards will form part of the updated and expanded Framework for Social Work Education and will be the foundation for professional pathways in social work. We plan to publish the standards in 2026.

We’ve updated our Decisions Guidance for Fitness to Practise Panels and SSSC staff and also published a range of Practice Notes to provide further guidance on legal issues that can arise during Fitness to Practise Panel hearings. 

We’ve expanded access to our Fitness to Practise Wellbeing Support Line to make sure more people can get the help they need. 

Quality improvement knowledge and skills is an important area for development in social services and one that we want to support. We are working with partners to raise awareness and help people working in social services to access this support.

Applications for cohort 27 of the Digital Health and Care Leadership Programme (DLP) are open to all health and social care settings in Scotland including health, social care, social work, housing, charities and the third sector.

We’re starting work on a review of the qualification and modern apprenticeship frameworks over the next two years, and we would like you to get involved.