A ‘growing strain’ continues to be placed on Inverclyde’s social work services against a backdrop of complex need, high demand and the cost-of-living crisis.
A stark picture has been painted for the future as “increasingly difficult decisions” are expected amid ongoing financial challenges in the public sector.
It comes as chief social work officer Jonathan Hinds prepares to present his report for 2024/25 to Inverclyde Integration Joint Board (IJB), responsible for oversight of the health and social care partnership (HSCP), on Monday.
In it, he explained: “In the year ahead, social work services in Inverclyde, as across the wider health and social care landscape, will continue to operate within a context of significant and sustained financial pressure.
“The complexity of need, ongoing high demand for services and the pervasive impact of the cost-of-living crisis, particularly in Inverclyde, with areas of multiple deprivation, continue to place growing strain on already stretched resources.
“These ongoing financial challenges will require us to, yet again, make increasingly difficult decisions around prioritisation, service redesign and the delivery of statutory responsibilities.”
However, Mr Hinds said by “listening directly” to those with lived experience and who use services in Inverclyde, the HSCP can identify “what matters most to communities” and make sure any redesign is informed by need.
The recruitment and retention of social work staff remains a “key area of concern”, the report outlined, amid national workforce pressures affecting both the public and independent sectors.
He added: “We continue to face persistent challenges in attracting and retaining suitably qualified social workers, care staff and allied health professionals’ roles that are fundamental to the safe and effective delivery of services.
“However, we are actively addressing these challenges through the implementation of our workforce plan, which focuses on strengthening career pathways, increasing access to high-quality training and development opportunities, and supporting staff wellbeing and professional growth.
“By investing in our people and creating an environment where continuous learning is valued, the aim is to position Inverclyde as a place where individuals not only want to work but also stay and grow in their careers.
“The local ambition is therefore to develop a skilled, confident and compassionate workforce that feels valued and supported and that sees Inverclyde as a community worth committing to, both professionally and personally.”
Members of the IJB will be asked to note the report and its recent submission to the office of the chief social work adviser to the Scottish Government.
