The aim of the Institute is to:
Develop educational qualifications, professional development pathways and organisational learning cultures that continue to promote positive change in Scotland's social services sector. We are committed to achieving this within an ethos that seeks and utilises the views and participation of service users and carers in all aspects of our work and prioritises collaboration, continuous improvement and quality enhancement.
We will achieve our aims through the following strategic objectives:
- Working collaboratively with Scotland's universities and colleges and building upon their diverse strengths and distinctiveness, to create, transfer and disseminate knowledge and develop skills for use in improving public services;
- Contributing to and supporting relevant, intellectually robust research and enquiry within the social services profession that informs policy and practice and supports the planning of future social services, designed to meet changing demands and expectations;
- Supporting the development of high quality initial and advanced qualifications and contributing to the development of professional leadership, accountable practice, effective management of change and professional guidance;
- Promoting and supporting continuous learning across the social services sector
- Participating in the development of career pathways for social services workers in ways that strengthen commitment to the acquisition of further, advanced and specialist knowledge and skills;
- Engaging in partnership with Scotland's universities and colleges and with other providers of professional education in health, justice, education and related fields, to develop integrated and progressive inter-agency learning for effective and ethical practice; and
- Developing and improving ways in which knowledge, understanding and evidence is used by practitioners and managers to deliver better outcomes for users of services and their carers.
