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Workforce Skills Report 2025 (image)

03 Apr 2025

Workforce data

Meeting the training needs of the social work, social care and children and young people workforce

The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) has published its latest Workforce Skills Report (WSR), providing an in-depth analysis of the current training provision for the social work, social care and children and young people sector.

The report evaluates how well existing training provision meets the demand for places for the qualifications required for SSSC registration and projects future demand over the next five years.

The report highlights the continuing challenge for the sector in accessing training and funding for qualifications including:

  • a shortfall in the supply of qualifications such as SVQ Social Services and Healthcare (SSH) SCQF level 6 and PDA Health and Social Care Supervision (HSCS) SCQF level 7
  • supply is expected to cover demand in the children's part of the SSSC Register, except for SVQ Social Services (Children and Young People) SCQF level 6, however the NC Early Education and Childcare SCQF level 6 could bridge this gap.

Maree Allison, SSSC Chief Executive said:

‘We know from our data that the qualified status of the workforce on our register is an improving picture, with 56.9% of registrants now qualified, an increase of 2.6% in the last year.

‘However our report highlights that there are ongoing challenges with having enough places available on courses and access to funding to meet demand.

 ‘In making sure that our workforce is qualified to provide high-quality care and support, we continue to work with partners including training providers and the SQA to find solutions to bridge these gaps and support the development of a skilled and confident workforce.’

Read the Workforce Skills Report.

Contact information

Sandra Wilson
Communications Officer
Scottish Social Services Council
media@sssc.uk.com