The Chief Social Work Officer's Annual Report for 2024–25 has been endorsed by Council at their meeting on 4 December.
The report reflects a period of significant progress, setting out key achievements over the past year in delivering vital care and protection services, as well as outlining priorities for the year ahead.
Highlights from the report
Highlights include Adult Social Work’s improvements to the delayed discharge process which has resulted in a reduction of 50 percent, thereby enabling a greater number of people to move from hospital to a more suitable setting in a timely way. What Matters Hubs drop-in sessions and appointments successfully provided advice, information and support to over 2,500 people while an expansion of the Shared Lives Programme which enabled more adults to be matched with approved carers.
In Adult Social Care, the residential care home service maintained high standards, with all five Council-operated settings achieving Care Inspectorate grades of ‘4-Good’. Commissioned providers in the independent sector also sustained a strong performance, with 14 out of 16 maintaining ‘4-Good’ or higher.
Preventative approaches implemented by Children and Families, such as Aberlour Sustain, achieved a 96 percent success rate in avoiding care placements, while progress in permanence planning continued to improve outcomes for children and young people. Another positive was the Family Group Decision Making initiative which supported 22 families to stay together.
The work of the Public Protection Service was strengthened through enhanced data reporting and updated protocols aligned with The Promise and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), ensuring that safeguarding practices reflect national standards and best practice. In addition, improvements in risk assessment and multi-agency coordination reinforced the Council’s ability to protect vulnerable children and adults, while promoting transparency and accountability in decision-making.
Justice Services continued to deliver statutory reports with work also being undertaken to expand group programmes aimed at reducing reoffending and supporting rehabilitation. The service also strengthened Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) partnerships, enhancing collaborative approaches to managing risk and safeguarding communities.
At a strategic level, investment in digital transformation to improve service efficiency and accessibility remains ongoing, while workforce development programmes, including leadership training and traineeships, strengthened capacity for the future. Progress was also made with a number of key projects including the Out of Authority and Coming Home programmes, aimed at reducing out-of-area placements for children, young people and adults with complex needs.
Priorities for 2025/26
Looking ahead, priorities identified for 2025/26 include advancing locality development and digital innovation, embedding lived experience in service design, strengthening workforce sustainability and financial resilience, and making further progress with the Out of Authority and Coming Home project work.
Councillor David Parker, Executive Member for Integrated Care and Support Services and Chair of the Integration Joint Board
“This is a strong and comprehensive report that highlights the dedication and professionalism of all our social work and care teams, whose efforts make a real and lasting difference to individuals and families across the Borders every day. They often work in very challenging circumstances, and their commitment deserves recognition.
“Among the significant achievements noted over the past 12 months, the reduction in delayed discharges is worthy of particular mention. Cutting delays by 50 percent has not only helped ease pressure on our NHS colleagues, it has also enabled more people to move more quickly to a suitable setting, supporting recovery and improving quality of life.
“Looking ahead, I know that the service as a whole will continue to build on this and their other achievements by working collaboratively to deliver integrated care that meets the needs of our communities and supports people to live well at home for longer.”
Councillor Tom Weatherston, Executive Member for Social Work and Community Enhancement
“Our social work and care teams have worked tirelessly over the past year, and I want to thank them for their commitment and professionalism. The breadth of support they provide, from children and families to adults and older people, reflects a shared aim of achieving the best possible outcomes for everyone who needs our help.
“As the report acknowledges, there have been challenges to face, as is the case for many other local authorities across the country. However, this is a service that is deeply committed to finding solutions that will continue to improve outcomes and strengthen support for those who need it most. I have every confidence that they will work closely together, along with our partners and our local communities, to ensure services evolve, remain sustainable, and respond effectively to changing needs.”
More information
You can view the report presented at the Council meeting on 4 December (Item 9) on our website.