Good news for social care occupational therapists in Scotland

We’re delighted that occupational therapists working in Local Authority social work in Scotland will be included in the scope of the Scottish Social Work Partnership (SSWP). We’ve been working hard with UNISON colleagues and our members to make this happen, so it’s wonderful to see it becoming reality. 

The SSWP refers to a collaborative initiative established to support the reform, improvement and sustainability of social work services across the country. It’s been set up in response to the proposed National Care Service Bill as a result of the Independent Review of Adult Social Care in Scotland, also known as the Feeley Review, and will put occupational therapists on an equal footing with social workers. 

The SSWP is a strategic group that brings together key stakeholders involved in social work. The Partnership's main goals are to: 

• Support and improve social work practice across Scotland
• Strengthen the professions involved and ensure they are valued, supported and sustainable 

RCOT Council member and OT Team Manager at Fife Health and Social Care Partnership, Neil Carnegie, said:  

I very much welcome the decision to include occupational therapists within the partnership. Including OTs ensures the Partnership reflects the true interdisciplinary nature of social care and acknowledges the value that the profession brings. It's crucial that OTs are part of the planning, design and delivery discussions from the start. This decision will also support better workforce development, training and career pathways for all professions within social care.  

Katie MacGregor, RCOT Policy and Public Affairs Lead for Scotland, said:  

We’re grateful to members and UNISON for their ongoing work with key stakeholders in the Scottish Social Work Partnership. This decision recognises the vital role occupational therapists play in social work teams. We’ve long advocated for their inclusion; this marks a step forward in enabling meaningful collaboration. We look forward to continuing our work with Social Work Scotland, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (CoSLA) and the Scottish Government as the partnership evolves.