World Social Work Day, on March 21, is an annual celebration that aims to highlight the achievements of the profession.

Councillor Margaret Walker, Chair of the Social Work Resources Committee, said: “Local social workers play a hugely important part within our public services.

“We all benefit from their commitment to providing care and compassion, to people in our communities, day in, day out.”

Soumen Sengupta, Director of Health and Social Care for South Lanarkshire added “Today takes on particular resonance given our still recent experience of the hardest winter for social care and health care services on record, as well as the challenging workforce and financial realities in front of us.

“But the professionalism and adaptability of our social workers – and indeed of all of our social care colleagues - is a source of strength and confidence within our health and social care family.

Mr Sengupta added, “From all of my conversations with staff I am always inspired by their individual and collective commitment to the safety and wellbeing to those local people we provide support to across our diverse communities.

“My thanks again to each and every one of our valued colleagues in social work and across social care for the difference they make to the lives of people every day.”