 What we've been up to
- Busy week for committees in the Scottish Parliament as Gareth Adam-Hammond on behalf of the Care Inspectorate took part in the panel discussion with the Health, Care and Sport Committee
- Interesting discussions and evidence also heard during the Education, Equalities, and Public Service Reform committees
Child Poverty
Research findings on user experiences of the Parental Employability Support Fund
The Scottish Government has published findings from research evaluating user experiences of the Parental Employability Support Fund (PESF) which focuses on providing support through a 'key worker' approach- the Employability Child Poverty Coordinator. The coordinator role was introduced in 2023. This research was commissioned by the Scottish Government to provide an evaluation of the role. Key findings from the evaluation show that the stakeholders saw a clear need for the coordinator role, that the role is being implemented flexibly according to the needs of different areas and that it is viewed as contributing to early improvements in alignment and coordination of services. It also notes the challenges attributed to short-term funding cycles and fixed-term contracts for post-holders.
Review of child poverty targets
The Scottish Government has provided an update on plans to review the type of targets in the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 2017. In a letter to the Social Justice, Housing and Local Government Committee, the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice and Housing notes that primary legislation is required ahead of 2030 to ensure that final reporting requirements within the 2017 Act can be met. She highlights the need for a "broad and balanced" approach to tackle child poverty, noting that some actions, such as investment in childcare, are currently not captured in existing metrics. The review will take a phased approach with the first phase identifying a longlist of potential measures and areas of focus and the second phase identifying a shortlist for detailed analysis. The first phase is due to conclude this autumn and the second phase will take place from late autumn to early 2027.
Children's charity gives evidence to UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights
Together Scotland has highlighted that while Scotland has taken important steps to tackle child poverty, the response isn't enough to meet the level of need faced by many children and families. The charity also called for the legal barriers that prevent the UNCRC Act reaching all devolved areas to be removed by the UK Government.
Child Protection
Inspectorate bodies to focus joint inspections on younger children living with neglect (England)
Ofsted, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) and His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP) have announced a new round of thematic inspections which will focus on younger children living with neglect. From autumn 2026, as part of their programme of joint targeted area inspections (JTAIs), inspectors will focus on how children’s social care, the police, probation services and relevant health services in a local area work together to identify, respond and support young children living with neglect. Inspectors will also look at how local agencies work with education, early years providers, and the voluntary and community sector.
Disability
Scottish learning disability week 7-13 September
The Health and Social Care Alliance (the ALLIANCE) has highlighted this year's Scottish Learning Disability Week which takes place 7-13 September. It is led by the Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities (SCLD) and looks to raises awareness, breaks down barriers, and promote inclusion for people with learning disabilities across Scotland.
Early Learning and Childcare
New childcare offer to be introduced from next year
As part of the new Programme for Government published last week, the Scottish Government has announced a new childcare offer which will be phased in from next year. The new offer aims to bring down the cost of living, tackle child poverty and boost family incomes. It includes a £44 million annual investment in breakfast clubs in primary schools across Scotland from August 2027, followed by the introduction of after-school and holiday childcare for primary school children from August 2029. The organisations due to receive grants through the new £15 million Childcare Support Fund have also been announced.
Education
Latest PISA study shows Scotland outperformed OECD average in four areas
The Scottish Government has highlighted the findings from the PISA 2025 Scotland report which shows that Scotland's 15 year olds have performed significantly above the OECD average in science, reading, computational problem-solving and environmental science. Other highlights from the report show that Scotland’s overall performance was stable, while other countries saw decline.
Justice
Justice social work statistics 2025-2026
This latest statistical release provides national level information on justice social work activity and the characteristics of individuals involved. It notes that between 2024-25 and 2025-26, the number of diversion from prosecution cases commenced fell by 5% from 3,594 to 3,425, which was the second highest level in the last ten years. Of these cases, 30% were 16 to 17 year olds. Other key points highlight a 7% increase in bail supervision cases between 2024-25 and 2025-26 and note that 10 fiscal work orders were imposed in 2025-26 - the lowest level since their introduction in 2015-16.
Practice standards and outcomes for justice social work
Updated national practice standards and outcomes for justice social work have been published by the Scottish Government. The document provides a framework for professional accountability and a framework to achieve the three key outcomes: reducing reoffending; community safety and public protection; and social inclusion to promote desistance from offending. The document highlights the need to pay particular attention to any children the person that is in the justice system has and the the UNCRC Incorporation Act 2024 which requires agencies to uphold the rights of children with a parent in the system at each stage of the criminal justice process.
Children's Commissioner highlights data gaps in police use of force against children
The Children and Young People's Commissioner for Scotland has raised concerns around data gaps in the use of force against children following its investigation on how often police had used force including Tasers, incapacitating spray, spit hoods, bite guards, strip searches, and “empty hand” techniques which include punches and kicks. The Commissioner's findings highlight data gaps in recording whether a child has a disability, unless related to the use of Tasers, and lack of details around a child's age, noting concerns that children might be at a greater risk from force due to their size or stage of development and that some children with additional vulnerabilities may be more at risk.
Workforce
Social service workforce data report
The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) has published 'The Scottish Social Service Sector: Report on 2025 Workforce Data', illustrating the paid social service workforce in Scotland at the end of 2025. Key points from the report include:
- The Scottish social service workforce reached its highest level yet in 2025, at 215,890 and the workforce increased by around 1,140 staff, or 0.5%, from 2024
- The private sector employed the largest share of the workforce, rising to 42% in 2025
- The total number of direct care staff increased by 16.5% since 2016, due to growth in two of the largest sub-sectors: housing support/care at home and day care of children
Other Health and Social Care
£7.6 million Children and Young People's Neurodevelopment Support Fund announced
The Scottish Government has announced £7.6 million in funding to strengthen and expand local neurodevelopmental support for children, young people and their families. The funding will be distributed to local authorities and is part of wider plans to support young people across health, education, local government and the third sector.
New guide for international adoption
New guidance on intercountry adoption processes has been published by the Scottish Government. It is aimed at practitioners and prospective adopters in Scotland and provides information on four main types of intercountry adoption, including Hague convention adoptions, non-Hague convention adoptions, state of origin adoptions (Scotland as the "sending state") and restricted countries list adoptions. It includes information around eligibility criteria, exception requests, fees and timescales, and useful contacts and weblinks.
New approach to reduce homelessness in Scotland
The Scottish Government has outlined measures to tackle homelessness in Scotland over the next five years. Measures include an additional 1,500 Housing First tenancies, supporting people with complex care needs into permanent housing and £2 million for the ‘fund to leave’ scheme to become permanent - the scheme supports women and children to leave an abusive partner.
Evidence to Health, Care and Sport Committee
Gareth Adam-Hammond, Chief Inspector (Registration and Complaints), has taken part in a wide-ranging panel discussion with the Health, Care and Sport Committee in the Scottish Parliament. The conversation was largely focused on proposed health and social care reform, with questions also touching on funding, inspection and complaints, and workforce and demographic challenges.
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