Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, our dedicated social care workers have provided critical and invaluable support to individuals across Scotland. In recognition of the vital contribution of social care workers, on 30 July 2020 Scottish Ministers published details of the social care worker death in service payment scheme.

Our new report published today shows the residential child care workforce has increased by 16% since 2010 while the number of children and young people in some form of residential care has decreased by 3% during that time. Residential child care includes care homes for children and young people, residential special schools and secure accommodation.

Have you ever thought about what it feels like to have someone enter your ‘personal space’ to give you care and support? Now those giving care and support can experience what it feels like to be receiving care using the new BeMe smartphone app.

Do you use tablets or smartphones at work? Does your employer or the people you support expect you to know about digital technology and how to use it? Our updated 23 Things Digital resource will help.

We welcome the publication of the findings of the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s inquiry into racial inequality in health and social care workplaces and its focus on the challenges faced by minority ethnic workers in adult social care.

Thank you to everyone who responded to our consultation on proposals to streamline and improve registration. These proposals are part of our Future Proofing Programme and include changes to the Register, our processes and the qualifications we accept for registration.

We’re celebrating 10 years of success of our Dementia Ambassadors programme this Dementia Awareness week, reflecting on the journey so far and looking forward to what’s next.

Applications are open for this programme of leadership and management development for those in senior leadership roles across health, social care and partner organisations. Cohort 12 starts in September 2022 and will end in June 2023.

Learning can come from life experiences, school, paid or unpaid work, short courses or learning at college or university. Our new web page and guidance gives you information on how your prior learning could benefit you. 

We are proud to announce that we have achieved Gold for Investors in People. This award clearly shows our commitment to our staff and the dedication of everyone who works here and the values that drive us to ensure social work, social care and early years services in Scotland are provided by a trusted, skilled and confident workforce.

A new report from the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) shows the impact of the workforce regulator for social work, social care and early years since it was established. It is part of the SSSC’s 20 year anniversary activities.

We’ve published a new research report on newly qualified social workers’ (NQSWs) experiences of practice during the COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland.