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’re proposing changes to the Fitness to Practise Rules (FTP Rules) that set out what we do when we receive a concern about a social service worker and we want to hear your views.

As digital technology plays an increasingly important role in health and social care, it’s important that organisations and individuals are making the most of their digital capabilities and skills. 

We want to hear your views on the proposed changes to the National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Health and Social Care (H&SC) and Children’s Care Learning and Development (CCLD).

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. 

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 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’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.

We are pleased to publish our first Registrant Survey Snapshot Report today. The report shows an increase in positive responses across all categories from the previous year. 

We’re consulting on a proposal to add new groups of workers from the social service workforce to the SSSC Register and want to hear your views on the proposal. 

In summer, we told you about the work NHS Education for Scotland (NES) and the SSSC are doing to develop a new National Induction Framework for Adult Social Care staff.