It’s the first time we’ve published such a report on our Register data. As the regulator for the social work, social care and children and young people workforce, we’re in the unique position of holding reliable information on the registered workforce.
The report shows there were 168,232 people on the SSSC Register in March this year, which is an increase of 4,064 on April 2022. It also shows the growth of the registered workforce over the past five years, as it opened to more registrants working in different services, the number of people with qualifications and the average age by service type and local authority area.
The registered workforce represents 80% of the total social service workforce of 208,000 in Scotland, so understanding more about this workforce can help identify trends, opportunities and challenges for workforce planning, as well as influencing and supporting planning.
Welcome
SSSC Acting Chief Executive, Maree Allison said: ‘As regulator for the social work, social care and children and young people workforce we hold unique data on our Register that provides valuable information for workforce planning and policy makers.
‘This first report gives a snapshot of the registered workforce and over time our reports will help build a clearer picture of that workforce that can be used in policy and planning decisions to meet demand for services as Scotland’s population changes.
‘The report shows the three largest parts of the Register, care at home, care home services for adults and day care of children’s services, all grew over the past year although we know many of these services face recruitment and retention pressures.
‘Alongside our annual workforce data reports, this snapshot report helps us understand Scotland’s workforce better so we can contribute to thriving and sustainable social work, social care and children and young people services.’
The registered workforce
The registered workforce covers social work, social care and children and young people services. During 2022/23 all but two parts of the Register increased as shown below.
- Our Register grew from 164,168 to 168,232 between April 2022 and March 2023. +4,064 (+2.48%)
- The number of people on our Register working in residential childcare services fell from 8,230 in 2022 to 8,153 in 2023. -77 (-0.94%)
- The number of people working in day care of children services on our Register grew from 42,425 in 2022 to 44,290 in 2023. +1,865 (+4.40%)
- The number of people on our Register working in care home services for adults grew from 40,940 in 2022 to 42,673 in 2023. +1,733 (+4.23%)
- The number of people on our Register working in care at home services increased from 63,081 in 2022 to 64,441 in 2023. +1,360 (+2.16%)
- The number of social work students on the Register fell from 2,108 in 2022 to 1,998 in 2023. -110 (-5.22%)
- The number of registered social workers increased from 10,674 in 2022 to 10,826 in 2023. +152 (+1.42%)
Read the full report
Download The Scottish Social Services Council Register: 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023 report.