Co-building hope and harmony' on World Social Work day

17th March 2026

Social Workers and Mental Health Officers in The Highland Council and NHS Highland gather today (17 March 2026) to celebrate World Social Work Day 2026 in a joint forum at The Barn Church, Culloden.

Fiona Duncan Highland Council's Chief Social Work Officer and Chief Officer Health and Social Care is also Convenor of Social Work Scotland, the professional leadership body for the social work and social care professions.

Fiona explained: "The theme for this year's World Social Work Day is 'Co-Building Hope and Harmony'. Highland Social Workers and Mental Health Officers are meeting at Culloden to discuss the way forward for the profession; and also, to deliberate on cooperation, solidarity and shared responsibility."

She added: "Workers from Justice, Child Health, Adult Services, Children’s Services, and Emergency Social Work Service care coming together for a day of lectures from two exceptional speakers and to take part in workshops."

Karyn McCluskey, Chief Executive of Community Justice Scotland - with her background in nursing and psychology brings a unique perspective to tackling complex social issues and a pioneering public health approach to preventing violence to the forum.

Fiona Dyer, Director of the Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice will outline CYCJ’s mission to ensure Scotland’s approach to children and young people in conflict with the law is firmly rights-respecting, driving better outcomes for children, young people, and communities.

Fiona Duncan commented: “As Social Workers, we always look forward to this annual conference to share practice both locally and nationally; network within Highland and reflect on the positive and invaluable contributions Social Workers make across the region.”

Fiona added: “I am also pleased that the National Social Work Agency (NSWA) will formally launch today on World Social Work Day, reflecting the agency’s commitment to global social work values.

"This marks an important milestone in strengthening trauma‑responsive, high‑quality social work practice across Scotland, and I am delighted to share this moment in a short online webinar this afternoon where anyone can hear from Joanna MacDonald, National Chief Social Work Adviser and Chief Executive of the NSWA, who will outline the Agency’s purpose, priorities, and next steps.

"You can register for this event which is at 4pm- 4:30pm using the link at: National Social Work Agency (NSWA) Launch - Information Session | Meeting-Join | Microsoft Teams ."
https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/6c59d797-643a-45bb-81cc-eddec3ac6820@0ef77447-1083-4dec-b89f-27c765076840

 

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