Joanna Macdonald is Chief Executive of the National Social Work Agency and serves as the National Chief Social Work Adviser to the Scottish Government. She leads national work to strengthen social work leadership, learning and workforce support as part of the Scottish Government’s wider reform programme. Joanna has extensive experience across social work and social care, and public service reform and is committed to working in partnership with social workers, employers and partners to improve outcomes for people, families and communities.
Joanna has over 35 years’ experience in social care, social work and health. She began her career as a relief social care assistant in a care home before qualifying as a social worker, and has since progressed into a range of senior leadership roles. These include Care Home Manager, Service Manager for day services and housing support, Director of Adult Social Care, Chief Officer of two Integration Joint Boards and Deputy Chief Social Work Adviser within the Scottish Government.
At the heart of Joanna’s work is a strong commitment to people – the individuals, families and communities served by social work, and the workforce who support them. She is known for leading with compassion, integrity and respect, and for championing social work as a profession, a calling, rooted in purpose, values and positive change. Joanna is proud to serve as Scotland’s first Chief Executive of the National Social Work Agency and to champion a profession that changes lives.