Are you a social worker looking to develop your career? If you have two years experience and work for a council or health and social care partnership you could train to become a mental health officer. 

Applications to the 2021-22 Voluntary Sector Development Fund (VSDF) are now open. It supports voluntary sector organisations providing social services registered with the Care Inspectorate.

The Scottish Social Services Council, Scottish Qualifications Authority, Scottish Government and the Care Inspectorate continue to work together to support students undertaking work placements to allow completion of full HNC qualifications this academic year 2020-21.

We have introduced a new outcome to our strategic plan to promote the value placed on the social work, social care and early years workforce. The new outcome builds on increased recognition the workforce gained during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Funding for the early implementation of the mandatory newly qualified social worker (NQSW) Supported Year is now available. All local authority, independent and third sector NQSW employers can apply for funding.

We’ve published our second annual report on Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) and NHS Education for Scotland (NES) partnership working.

The deadline for applying for EU Settlement Status is 30 June 2021. EU and EEA citizens working in social services in Scotland need to apply for settled status to continue living and working here.

As we mark World Social Work Day 2021 we’d like to acknowledge the important role of all social workers and social care workers and say thank you for supporting people throughout Scotland during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Free coaching is available to support all health and social service workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding for this coaching has been extended for another 18 months.

The COVID-19 vaccination is an important step in tackling the pandemic. Getting your COVID-19 vaccination as soon as you can should protect you and may help to protect your family and those you care for.

We are working with NHS Education for Scotland (NES) to offer social service workers the chance to undertake the Scottish Improvement Foundation Skills programme starting this spring.

Earlier this year, before the pandemic, we spent the day at Capability Scotland, Dundee to find out how they work to the standards set out in the SSSC Code of Practice for Social Service Workers in everyday situations and how it reinforces their day-to-day work.