SSSC approves Glasgow City HSCP to deliver PDAPL including to other partner HSCPs

Earlier this year, the West of Scotland’s social work education landscape saw a major change. Learning Network West, an independent organisation funded by universities and local authorities, including Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (GCHSCP), closed in March 2025 due to financial challenges.

Learning Network West played a key role in coordinating social work student placements and was an approved centre for delivering the Professional Development Award in Practice Learning (PDAPL).

When the closure was announced in November 2024, seven social workers in Glasgow were already working towards the PDAPL. Determined to support them, Eleanor Ramsay, Team Leader for Practice Learning, and Karen Sillars, Service Manager Learning and Development, began exploring how we (GCHSCP) could continue the qualification in-house.

Karen and Eleanor met with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) to discuss options for sustaining the current staff working towards PDAPL, including support for staff from other Health and Social Care Partnerships (HSCPs). With our team’s experience, qualifications and motivation — and as an SQA-accredited centre — we were confident we could deliver the award ourselves.

A follow-up meeting with the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) allowed us to present our proposal to deliver, assess and quality assure the PDAPL through our own Practice Learning team. With support from Natalie Campleman (Centre Lead) and Michelle Currie (an External Verifier for SQA), we developed the necessary policies, procedures and partnership agreements.

On 30 April, we received interim approval from the SSSC to continue supporting the existing staff undertaking PDAPL. Following this, our Practice Learning team — Wilma McCoid, Pauline Kelly, Dorothy Apicella and Alison Anderson — worked quickly to update all teaching materials and presentations.

We’re proud to share that on 12 August 2025, we received full approval to deliver the PDAPL, not only for Glasgow but also for other partner HSCPs.

A new group of staff started the course at the end of August 2025, with 25 candidates: 12 from GCHSCP and 13 from across Lanarkshire, Inverclyde, East Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire. With two groups per year, this new model will result in cost savings and generate additional income.

The PDAPL is a vital qualification that enables social workers to support students during their practice placements. GCHSCP hosts around 75 social work students each year, and having qualified practice teachers is essential. This initiative supports our workforce plan by helping recruit and retain social workers — 90% of final placement students in 2023/24 secured employment in Glasgow.

The SSSC said: “There’s a very experienced team in place, with a clear passion and enthusiasm for the award and workforce professional development. This was evidenced in the application documentation as well as verbal presentations on the day of the panel.

“The course is very well-structured and organised and utilises contemporary material to support teaching.”

Kelda Gaffney, our Depute Chief Officer, Operations and Governance and Chief Social Work Officer commented:  “This achievement reflects the dedication and professionalism of our Practice Learning team. Their commitment to supporting the workforce and ensuring continuity in professional development has been outstanding. The approval to deliver the PDAPL in-house not only secures the future of our current candidates but strengthens our capacity to support social work education across the region.”