Edinburgh hospital social work team retained with reduced staffing

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 3 Nov, 16:06 · Archive

Councillors voted to keep Edinburgh's hospital-based children's social work team with reduced staffing despite officer objections.

Councillors voted 7-4 on Tuesday to retain the hospital-based children's social work team at Edinburgh's Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, choosing reduced staffing over dissolution. The team, which has operated for 20 years, was at risk after recent changes to how Edinburgh's social work services operate led to significantly fewer referrals. A council report found only one referral since January 2026 required intervention from the hospital-based team, and just 15% of surveyed carers said they felt the team's location was beneficial to their child's care plan.

Council officers had recommended dissolving the team and redistributing its approximately four social workers elsewhere to help reduce months-long waiting lists. An officer warned that retaining the team would increase waiting times for other families from five months to eight or nine months, with a "direct impact on children and families". The officer also said dissolving the team would help open held vacancies across other services.

Some councillors resisted the closure despite these concerns, fearing vulnerable families would lose necessary support. Councillors chose the partially-staffed option over other possibilities including full dissolution or restoring full staffing levels.

How it is being reported

• Social work team at Edinburgh's Sick Kids hospital saved despite waiting list warningsCouncillors were not convinced by officer’s recommendations that the team was not necessaryEdinburgh Evening News · 3 Nov, 15:42
• Edinburgh children's hospital social work team saved after months of uncertaintyCouncillors voted on Tuesday (November 3) to retain the service with reduced staffing, despite strong objections from council officers.Edinburgh Live · 3 Nov, 15:07
• Councillors to decide future of Edinburgh hospital-based social work teamThe Education, Children and Families Committee will consider next steps on Tuesday, November 3. The recommended option is to dissolve the team and redistribute its staff among other children’s services.Edinburgh Live · 2 Nov, 15:51

In this story: Edinburgh · Royal Hospital for Children and Young People · Education, Children and Families Committee

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