As we head into 2026, it’s a great time to think about your professional development. Continuous professional learning (CPL) isn’t just something on your to-do list, it’s an opportunity to grow, keep your skills up to date and be confident in your role.

We’ve published our latest six-monthly survey report on Scotland’s social work workforce. The report provides detail on the number of filled and vacant social worker and senior social worker posts in local authorities in June 2025.

Today, the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) publishes its 2024-2025 Annual Report. 

We’ve been working with partners across the UK and with our stakeholder groups to review the National Occupational Standards (NOS). The NOS underpin the qualifications and training programmes that you need to work in social care in Scotland, and to register with us. 

We’re consulting on changes to our Fitness to Practise Rules to make them work more effectively and improve some areas.

The festive season can be a joyful time, but for many working in social work, social care and children and young people services it can also mean time away from loved ones to provide care and support for others. This can feel isolating and emotionally demanding.

On 13 October Scottish Government announced the development of a bespoke £500,000 scheme to support Scottish Adult Social Care employers remove barriers for the employment of displaced workers. 

Listening to people with real-life experience helps us make better decisions. Their views have been key to updating the National Occupational Standards (NOS) and the current SVQ and modern apprenticeship review.

We’ve asked Iriss to carry out a survey about the Newly Qualified Social Worker (NQSW) Supported Year, which was introduced across Scotland in October 2024. This first year in practice is designed to give new social workers the support they need to grow in confidence and skills, helping to build a strong future for social work in Scotland.

We’ve worked in partnership with NHS Education for Scotland (NES) to refresh the Palliative Care Education Framework to bring it in line with the vision of the new Scottish Government palliative care strategy and delivery plan for 2025 – 2030.

We’ve launched our new self-service MyLearning QR code generator, a simple and effective way for employers and learning providers to help people record their learning quickly and easily.

The Skills for Care and Development Alliance is commissioning the next phase of a UK and Republic of Ireland-wide research study exploring the impact of workforce regulation in adult social care.