Midlothian Social Work Services Note Challenges, Successes and Next Steps
Councillors today (Tuesday) considered the draft annual Chief Social Work Officer Report, highlighting the council’s progress over the past year in protecting vulnerable adults and children, tackling domestic abuse, and supporting families to thrive.
Of note
The report for 2024/25 highlights key achievements and challenges including:
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Adult Support and Protection: 472 investigations undertaken—a 14% increase—most managed without legal orders. The June 2024 Joint Inspection by the Care Inspectorate, Healthcare Improvement Scotland and His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland. praised strong partnership working and effective risk management.
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Child Protection: 95 children on the Child Protection Register, with parental mental health as the leading registration category, reflecting improved multi-agency assessment and early intervention.
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Domestic Abuse: 123 high-risk victims supported through Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (Marac) meetings, ensuring safer outcomes and coordinated services under the Equally Safe in Midlothian Strategy.
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Substance Use: Reduction in Drug Misuse Deaths to 17; ongoing focus on harm reduction and medication-assisted treatment. Alcohol-specific deaths rose slightly to 20.
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Innovative Programmes: Pavilion Project, Making Choices Keeping Safe, and expanded day opportunities for neurodiverse adults; new Extra Care Housing and enhanced care-at-home services support independence.
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Family Wellbeing Service: Works with children aged 0-17, their families’, schools, health and third sector partners to improve low school attendance, and other wellbeing concerns. In 2024 referral numbers to the FWS rose by 56%, with a total of 285 received. On average the team support 150 individual children/young people at any time.
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Justice and Community Justice: 8,143.5 hours of unpaid work delivered, 242 people supported under statutory supervision, and strong outcomes to cut reoffending via the No.11 Allocation Service. Programmes such as Spring, Your Chance to Change, and Men’s Groupwork Services promote rehabilitation, trauma recovery, and employability.
Planning for the future
Looking ahead, priorities include strengthening early intervention and prevention, expanding trauma-informed approaches, developing Edge of Care services to reduce out-of-area placements, and sustaining partnership approaches to protect vulnerable people.
Dedication of staff and partners
Councillor Connor McManus, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, said: "This report highlights the dedication of our staff and partners in Midlothian. From supporting families to protecting vulnerable adults, our focus remains on prevention, protection, and partnership. By continuing to work together, we can deliver the best possible outcomes for our residents and communities."
Person-centred
Across Midlothian, person-centred, partnership-driven approaches continue to improve access, safety, and wellbeing, demonstrating the council’s commitment to a healthier, safer, and more inclusive community.