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National Social Work Agency

We're an executive agency of the Scottish Government, created to strengthen and support the social work profession. 

We lead excellence and improvement and provide expert, impartial professional advice to Scottish Ministers. We help shape the policies and services that affect people and communities.

Read about the NSWA launch
People working around a meeting table, laughing

About us

Who we are, what we do, vision, aims and values and how to contact us.

Education and learning

Valuing Practice, qualifying pathways, career stages, professional learning and current developments.

Workforce planning and data

Workforce data, strategy and policy, recruitment and retention of social workers, equality, diversity and inclusion

Improvement and implementation

Evidence based initiatives in social work.

Social work in Scotland

What social workers do, values and ethics and how to access social work services.

Contact

General enquiries, media, complaints, FOI and concerns.

News

Get involved

Stay connected with us and sign up for news, updates - including national developments across social work - and opportunities to take part.

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Publications

  • Type
    Publication
    16 Jul 2026

    Business case

    Outline of the business case for the NSWA.

  • Type
    Strategy/plan
    8 May 2026

    Framework agreement

    National Social Work Agency Framework agreement.

  • Type
    Publication
    13 Apr 2026

    Privacy policy

    National Social Work Agency privacy policy.

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