Further investment in social work education

The funding is intended to enhance the design and delivery of social work practice education, ensuring that learning opportunities meet the specific needs of students and increase the number of high-quality placements across Scotland.

According to The NEN, new support for social work education will be available from February, aiming to strengthen learning for the workforce and provide benefits to local social work students.

These improvements will be piloted through Local Learning Partnerships (LLPs), a new initiative connecting social work employers and education providers. The model will allow local areas to test curricula and make adjustments based on feedback and experiences.

SSSC Chief Executive Maree Allison stated that the LLPs will strengthen collaboration between universities and employers, which is essential for effective social work education. She added that the investment will help expand and localize practice learning opportunities for students, while involving students, practitioners, employers, and people with lived experience in developing training that meets community needs.