social services

Practice Learning Qualification. PLQ(SS)

The Practice Learning Qualification (Social Services) is a suite of qualifications set at four different levels and aimed at supporting the learning of staff and students in the workplace.

The qualifications reflect the importance of practice learning throughout the workforce and enable those involved in supporting practice learning at all levels of their organisation to gain recognition for their knowledge and skills.

Expectations and aspirations: public attitudes towards social care

This briefing is the first output from the ippr-PwC social care programme. This programme seeks to generate public debate about the future of social care; and consider how the social contract between the state, organisations, communities, families and individuals may need to fundamentally change to ensure that the future of social care is based on principles of fairness and sustainability. This publication it's free, in order to download there are two ways to do it, by registering or just by following the link to download it.

Key messages: overview of mental health services

Key messages are presented from a study looking at mental health services provided by the NHS, councils, prisons, the police and the voluntary sector across Scotland for all ages. The study examines the accessibility and availability of mental health services and how much is spent on them.

The report provides an overview of mental health services and is the first in a series of planned reports in this area. The researchers carried out an overview to highlight areas for improvement and to identify priorities for future audit work.

Improving the wellbeing of disabled children and young people through improving access to positive and inclusive activities: progress map summary

This progress map summary includes key research findings from a C4EO knowledge review about how to improve disabled children's access to play, sport, leisure and cultural activities. The summary includes challenge questions which can be used as tools for strategic leaders in assessing, delivering and monitoring disabled children's access to services. Key findings discussed include what are inclusive services, what disabled children want from play and leisure services and barriers to access and participation.

The role of the registered social worker in statutory interventions: guidance for local authorities

Consultation on the role of the registered social worker (sometimes referred to as reserved functions). The overarching purpose of the Scottish Government is to focus government and public services on creating a more successful country with opportunities for all of Scotland.

The purpose of this guidance for local authorities is to set out those social work functions which only registered social workers should be accountable for.

Citizen involvement in local governance

This report draws on the findings of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation's Governance and Public Services research programme and other related JRF work. It also looks at how citizens are involved, how they influence decisions and how diversity and population change affect citizen and community involvement.

The round-up outlines the challenges and dilemmas that local partners, central government, councillors, staff and communities must resolve if citizens are to have more power and influence over local services and their neighbourhoods.

Social Work Inspection Agency: Performance Inspection Summary: East Ayrshire Council 2009

The Social work Inspection Agency (SWIA) is carrying out performance inspections of all local authority social work services in Scotland. This leaflet summarises some key findings of the inspection of East Ayrshire Council’s social work services, which are set out in the full report published in June 2009.