Law
Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968
United Kingdom · statute
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In force since 2026-01-07, as the publisher states.
Copy read on 2026-11-08. The page it was read from
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.
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Contents: 154 provisions
- Title and introductory text
- 1 Local authorities for the administration of the Act.
- 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 3 Chief social work officer.
- 4 Provisions relating to performance of functions by local authorities.
- 5 Powers of Secretary of State.
- 5ZA National Chief Social Work Adviser and National Social Work Agency
- 5A Local authority plans for community care services.
- 5B Complaints procedure.
- 6 Supervision of establishments providing accommodation for persons and inspection of records etc.
- 6A Inquiries.
- 6B Local authority inquiries into matters affecting children.
- 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 8 Research.
- 9 Training courses and grants for training in social work.
- 10 Financial and other assistance to voluntary organisations etc., for social work.
- 11 Acquisition of land.
- 12 General social welfare services of local authorities.
- 12A Duty of local authority to assess needs.
- 12AZA Assessments under section 12A: assistance
- 12AA Assessment of ability to provide care
- 12AB Duty of local authority to provide information to carer
- 12B Direct payments in respect of community care services.
- 12C Further provisions relating to direct payments.
- 13 Power of local authorities to assist persons in need in disposal of produce of their work.
- 13ZA Provision of services to incapable adults
- 13A Residential accommodation with nursing.
- 13B Provision of care and after-care
- 14 Home help and laundry facilities.
- 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 16A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 17A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 17B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 17C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 17D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 17E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 18A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 20A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 25A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 27 Supervision and care of persons put on probation or released from prisons etc.
- 27ZA Advice, guidance and assistance to persons arrested or on whom sentence deferred
- 27A Grants in respect of community service facilities
- 27B Grants in respect of hostel accommodation for persons under supervision.
- 28 Burial or cremation of the dead.
- 29 Power of local authority to defray certain travelling expenses.
- 30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 31 Restriction on prosecution of children for offences.
- 32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 34A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 36A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 57 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 58 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 58A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 58B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 58C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 58D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 58E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 58F . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 58G . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 59 Provision of residential and other establishments by local authorities, and maximum period for repayment of sums borrowed for such provision.
- 59A Grants in respect of secure accommodation for children.
- 60 Control of residential and other establishments.
- 61 Restriction on carrying on of establishments.
- 61A Voluntary registration.
- 62 Registration.
- 62A Certificate of registration as respects grant-aided or independent school.
- 63 Special provisions for registration by Secretary of State.
- 63A Appeals against conditions imposed on registration or subsequently.
- 63B Special provisions for jointly registrable establishments.
- 64 Appeals against refusal or cancellation of registration.
- 64A Registration fees.
- 65 Removal of persons from establishments.
- 66 Duty to furnish particulars of establishments.
- 67 Entry to examine state and management of establishments etc.
- 68 Visiting of persons in establishments on behalf of local authorities.
- 69 Abscondment from a place of safety, or from the control of a person imposed by a supervision requirement.
- 70 Abscondment from residential establishments.
- 71 Harbouring.
- 72 Supervision of children moving to England or Wales or Northern Ireland.
- 73 Supervision of children moving to Scotland.
- 74 Parent of a child in a residential establishment under a supervision requirement moving to England or Wales or Northern Ireland.
- 75 Parent of a child subject to an approved school order or a committal order moving to Scotland.
- 76 Procedure.
- 77 Meaning of child for the purposes of this Part of this Act.
- 78 Duty to make contributions in respect of children in care etc.
- 78A Recovery of contributions.
- 79 Recipients of contributions.
- 80 Enforcement of duty to make contributions.
- 81 Provisions as to decrees for aliment.
- 82 Recovery of arrears of contributions.
- 83 Variation of trusts.
- 83A References in this Part of this Act to child being looked after.
- 84 Transfer of assets and liabilities.
- 85 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 86 Adjustments between authority providing accommodation etc., and authority of area of residence.
- 86A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 87 Charges that may be made for services and accommodation.
- 88 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 89 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 90 Orders, regulations etc.
- 91 Expenses.
- 92 Effect of Act on rate support grant.
- 92A Powers of the Secretary of State to make grants.
- 93 Transitional provisions.
- 94 Interpretation.
- 95 Minor and consequential amendments, repeals and savings.
- 96 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 97 Extension of certain provisions of Act to England and Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands.
- 98 Commencement.
- 99 Short title.
- SCHEDULE 1
- SCHEDULE 2 Amendment of Part IV of the Children and Young Persons (Scotland) Act 1937
- SCHEDULE 3 Children’s Panels
- SCHEDULE 4
- SCHEDULE 5
- SCHEDULE 6 Transfer of Assets and Liabilities
- SCHEDULE 7 Transitional Provisions
- SCHEDULE 8 Minor and Consequential Amendments
- SCHEDULE 9 Enactments Repealed
Proposed changes to this act
No one has proposed a change to this act yet.
154 provisions
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Propose a change25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propose a change25A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Propose a change27 Supervision and care of persons put on probation or released from prisons etc.
(1) It shall be a function of every local authority under this Part of this Act to provide a service for the following purposes, that is to say— (za) making available to any court, in accordance with section 22A(1A) or 23B(6) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995, such information as may be relevant to the court’s determination of whether to grant bail to persons who are accused of or charged with an offence; (a) making available to any court such social background reports and other reports relating to persons appearing berfore the court which the court may require for the disposal of a case (aa) making available to any children’s hearing such reports relating to persons aged 16 and 17 years in relation to the commission of an offence, as the hearing may require for the disposal of a case; (ab) making available to any procurator fiscal or the Lord Advocate such reports as the procurator fiscal or the Lord Advocate may request in relation to persons who are charged with an offence; (ac) the provision of advice, guidance and assistance for persons who are in prison or subject to any other form of detention and who— (i) resided in their area immediately prior to such imprisonment or detention; or (ii) intend to reside in their area on release from such imprisonment or detention, and who on release from such imprisonment or detention, it appears to the local authority, will be required to be under supervision under any enactment or by the terms of an order or licence of the Scottish Ministers or of a condition or requirement imposed in pursuance of an enactment; (ad) making available, for the purposes of parenting orders under section 13 or 102 of the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004 (asp 8), such services as are required to enable requirements imposed by or under such orders to be carried out in respect of persons in their area; (ae) making available to the Scottish Ministers such background and other reports as the Scottish Ministers may request in relation to the exercise of their functions under Part 1 of the Prisoners and Criminal Proceedings (Scotland) Act 1993 (c. 9); (b) the supervision of, and the provision of advice, guidance and assistance for— (i) persons in their area who are under supervision by order of a court made in exercise of its criminal jurisdiction by virtue of any enactment, and (ii) persons in their area who, following on release from prison or any other form of detention, are required to be under supervision under any enactment or by the terms of an order or licence of the Secretary of State or of a condition or requirement imposed in pursuance of any enactment; and (iii) without prejudice to sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii) above, persons in the area who are subject to a community payback order imposed under section 227A or 227M of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 imposing an unpaid work or other activity requirement ; and (iv) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (v) without prejudice to sub-paragraphs (i) to (iv) above, persons in their area who are subject to a supervision and treatment order made under section 57(2)(d) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995; (va) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (vb) without prejudice to sub-paragraph (i) above, persons in their area who are under 18 years of age and subject to restriction of liberty orders under section 245A of the said Act of 1995; (vi) persons in their area aged 16 and 17 years who are subject to a compulsory supervision order made by virtue of the ground mentioned in section 67(2)(j) of the Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011 (asp 1); (vii) persons in their area who are charged with, but not prosecuted for, any offence and are referred to the local authority by the procurator fiscal or the Lord Advocate; ... (viii) persons in their area who are subject to work orders under section 303ZA(6) of the said Act of 1995; (c) the provision of advice, guidance and assistance for persons in their area who, within 12 months of their release from prison or any other form of detention, request such advice, guidance or assistance. (1A) A local authority may provide advice, guidance or assistance for any person who— (a) would fall to be provided for under paragraph (ac) of subsection (1) above but for the fact that it appears to the local authority that he will not be required to be under any form of supervision on release as mentioned in that paragraph; and (b) requests such advice, guidance or assistance. (1B) Where as respects any person more than one local authority is required by paragraph (ac) of subsection (1) to make such provision as is mentioned in that paragraph, they may agree between themselves that only one of them shall do so; and where there is such agreement the paragraph shall apply accordingly. (1C) In paragraphs (ac) and (b)(i) and (ii) of subsection (1) above, “enactment” includes an Act of the Scottish Parliament. (1D) The Scottish Ministers may by order amend subsection (1) above so as (any or all)— (a) to add to the functions for the time being described; (b) to omit any of those functions; (c) to alter any of those functions. (2) For the purposes of subsection (1) above every local authority shall, ..., prepare a scheme (hereinafter referred to as a community justice scheme) and submit it by such date, as he may require, to the Secretary of State for his approval. (3) A community justice scheme shall make provision with regard to the following matters— (a) the manner in which any report requested by the court from the local authority is to be prepared and submitted to the court; (aa) the matters to be included in such a report; (b) arrangements for the attendance of officers of the local authority at the court; (c) arrangements for the co-operation of the local authorities with the courts, and such arrangements may include the appointment of one or more sheriffs having jurisdiction in their areas to a committee or sub-committee of such authorities; (d) arrangements for the keeping of adequate records and statistics regarding the performance of functions under this section; and (e) such other matters as the local authority considers relevant to the service to be provided. (4) The Secretary of State may approve a community justice scheme with or without modifications. (5) A local authority may apply to the Secretary of State for the revision of a community justice scheme and, if the Secretary of State so requires, shall prepare and submit to the Secretary of State for his approval a revised scheme or a modification of an existing scheme. (5A) Before including in a community justice scheme which is made, revised or modified under this section provision for the purposes of subsection (1)(b)(va) or (viii), a local authority shall consult such persons or class or classes of person as the Scottish Ministers may by regulations prescribe. (5B) The Scottish Ministers may give local authorities directions in writing as to the content of community justice schemes; and authorities shall comply with any such directions. (5C) The power conferred by subsection (5B) above to give a direction shall include power to vary or revoke the direction. (6) Any function required by any enactment to be performed by a probation officer shall, after the coming into operation of this Part of this Act, be performed by an officer of the appropriate local authority. (7) Section 11 of and Schedule 3 to the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1949 (administrative provisions as to probation) shall cease to have effect.
Propose a change27ZA Advice, guidance and assistance to persons arrested or on whom sentence deferred
(1) It shall be a function of a local authority, if and to such extent as the Scottish Ministers so direct and in accordance with the direction, to provide, directly or indirectly, advice, guidance and assistance to any person (and in particular to any person who appears to the local authority to have dependency problems)— (a) who is arrested and detained in police custody in their area, but only during the period of such detention; or (b) on whom sentence is deferred under section 202(1) of the 1995 Act, but only during the period of deferment and while that person is in their area. (2) The function mentioned in subsection (1)(a) above may continue to be exercised by the local authority while the person is in their area for a period not exceeding 12 months from the date of his release from police custody. (3) In subsection (1) above, “ dependency problems ” means problems relating to a dependency on drugs, alcohol or some other substance.
Propose a change27A Grants in respect of community service facilities
(1) The Scottish Ministers may make a grant to a local authority of such amount as the Scottish Ministers may determine in respect of expenditure incurred by that local authority in providing a relevant service. (1A) In subsection (1) above, a “relevant service” means a service— (a) for the purposes mentioned in section 27(1) or 27ZA of this Act; (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (c) for such other similar purposes as the Scottish Ministers may prescribe. (1B) Any grant made under, or paid by virtue of, subsection (1) above is subject to such conditions as the Scottish Ministers may determine. (1A) In a case where two or more local authorities are discharging any function mentioned in section 27(1) or 27ZA of this Act jointly, whether or not in accordance with arrangements made under section 56(5) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (c. 65), the power of the Scottish Ministers to make grants under subsection (1) above in respect of expenditure incurred for the purposes mentioned in paragraph (a) of that subsection includes a power to make such grants, on such conditions as are mentioned in that subsection, to a local authority nominated by the local authorities from among their number. (2) Before exercising his power under subsection (1A)(c) above the Secretary of State shall consult local authorities and such other bodies as he considers appropriate.
Propose a change27B Grants in respect of hostel accommodation for persons under supervision.
(1) The Scottish Ministers may make a grant to a local authority of such amount as the Scottish Ministers may determine in respect of relevant expenditure. (1A) In subsection (1) above, “relevant expenditure” means expenditure incurred by, ... that local authority in— (a) providing; or (b) contributing by way of grant under section 10(3) of this Act to the provision by a voluntary organisation of, residential accommodation wholly or mainly for the persons mentioned in subsection (2) below. (1B) Any grant made under, or paid by virtue of, subsection (1) above is subject to such conditions as the Scottish Ministers may determine. (2) The persons referred to in subsection (1A) above are– (a) persons mentioned in section 27(1)(b)(i) and (ii) of this Act; (b) persons who have been charged with an offence and are on bail; (c) persons who have been released from prison or any other form of detention but do not fall within section 27(1)(b)(ii) of this Act; and (d) such other classes of persons as the Secretary of State may prescribe. (3) Before exercising his power under subsection (2)(d) above the Secretary of State shall consult local authorities and such other persons as he considers appropriate.
Propose a change28 Burial or cremation of the dead.
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Propose a change29 Power of local authority to defray certain travelling expenses.
(1) A local authority may make payments to any parent, relative or other person connected with — (a) a person, other than a child, in the care of the authority or receiving assistance from the authority; or (b) a child who is being looked after by the authority, in respect of travelling, subsistence or other expenses incurred by the parent, relative or other person in visiting the person or child, if it appears to the authority that the parent, relative or other person would not otherwise be able to visit him without undue hardship and that the circumstances warrant the making of the payments. (1A) In subsection (1), “child” has the meaning given by section 93(2)(a) of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995. (1B) In subsection (1), the reference to a child who is “looked after” by a local authority is to be construed in accordance with section 17(6) of that Act of 1995. (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propose a change30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propose a change31 Restriction on prosecution of children for offences.
(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3) Part IV of the Children and Young Persons (Scotland) Act 1937 shall have effect subject to the amendments set out in Schedule 2 to this Act.
Propose a change