The role of the Chief Social Work Officer

Introduction

1. The Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 (the 1968 Act) requires local authorities to appoint a single Chief Social Work Officer ( CSWO) for the purposes of listed social work functions.

2. This document contains statutory guidance. It is issued to local authorities by Scottish Ministers under section 5 of the 1968 Act. The local authority must have regard to this guidance. It must follow both the letter and the spirit of the guidance. It must not depart from the guidance without good reason. The Guidance replaces guidance previously issued in 2009.