COSLA

Today is International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. COSLA reaffirms our commitment to building safe and inclusive communities across Scotland and will continue to work with partners and communities to eliminate racism and strengthen community cohesion.

COSLA’s Health and Social Care Board, chaired by spokesperson @cllrpaulkelly met today to discuss a range of significant developments across Scotland’s health and social care system.

Tapped is a new short film showing the impact of illegal money lending. Co‑created by young people with @StopLoanSharks and partners across Fife and Scotland, it’s supported by a youth‑informed education toolkit. Watch the film & access resources here: ow.ly/6igG50YwgHR

COSLA President, Cllr Shona Morrison, commented on the Local Governance Review joint statement: cosla.gov.uk/news/2026/marc… LGR Joint Statement ow.ly/UQ7550YwqI3 Democracy Matters Publication ow.ly/KcRA50YwqI1 Single Authority Model Publication ow.ly/x3Mp50YwqI0

Almost 400 people with learning disabilities and complex support needs will benefit from £20 million of funding to implement the Coming Home Action Plan, which sets out measures to ensure tailored support and housing close to home, family and friends. ow.ly/NO2s50Ywpqr

To mark 10 years since Jo Cox’s murder, the @JoCoxFoundation has released a resource pack for councils and councillors. It includes a template motion, Great Get Together information, and digital/print materials. View the pack here: jocoxfoundation.org/wp-content/upl…

COSLA President, Cllr Shona Morrison, attended a meeting of the UK/Committee of Regions Contact Group in Brussels which aims to maintain political relations between local and regional authorities in the UK and EU.

“Self-directed support is about choice, control, dignity and independence.” COSLA Health and Social Care Spokesperson @CllrPaulKelly contributed to today's @SDSScot Conference 'SDS National Voice 2026: Learning and Leading.'

COSLA has today issued a statement ahead of Stage 3 of the Children (Care, Care Experience & Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill, warning that the legislation in its current form is not deliverable & risks unintended consequences. ow.ly/ytmq50YvjFK ow.ly/fTt550YvjFI

COSLA's Children and Young People team have prepared a Stage 3 Briefing about the Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill. Our key points are in the full briefing: ow.ly/xuJn50Yvamk

Today is World Social Work Day. COSLA thanks Scotland’s social workers for their compassion, commitment, and vital role in supporting individuals, families & communities every day. We remain committed to working with partners to make improvements to social work services.

This week, @argyllandbute hosted a Stronger Communities Week screening of a new documentary marking 10 years since the first Syrian arrivals. The film highlights families from Syria, Ukraine, Sudan and Afghanistan who’ve rebuilt their lives in Argyll and Bute.

"COSLA Leaders met this morning to consider the issue of Reduced Class Contact Time (RCCT) and the potential for industrial action by members of the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS). For more information and to read the full press release visit: ow.ly/qzk550YttO4

📢 Our latest Elected Member Bulletin is out now! In this issue: 🟣COSLA Population White Paper launch 🟣Stronger Communities Week 2026 🟣Delivering Equally Safe funding uplift ...and much more! Read more: ow.ly/S4b850Yti7l

COSLA Spokesperson for Health and Social Care, @cllrpaulkelly , said: “Bringing local and national government together for the first time in this way represents a step change in how we plan and deliver support for people affected by drugs and alcohol."

COSLA Director of People Policy, Nicola Dickie, reflected on Scotland's journey to deliver joined up care in the digital age at today's FutureScot Health and Social Care Transformation conference.

COSLA has launched 'Working Towards Achieving a More Balanced Population in Scotland', the first in a series of white papers to be published. White Paper: cosla.gov.uk/__data/assets/… Executive Summary: cosla.gov.uk/__data/assets/… Press release: cosla.gov.uk/news/2026/marc…

A rapid review of Additional Support for Learning (ASL) has set out recommendations to ensure young people’s evolving needs continue to be met across Scotland. ow.ly/W6WJ50YsK1z

On 9th March, @dgcouncil held an event as part of the Council's contribution to Elect Her and Stronger Communities Week 2026. The event brought women together for inspiring conversation about women from diverse communities in leadership roles and decision making in politics.

COSLA has launched 'Working Towards Achieving a More Balanced Population in Scotland', the first in a series of white papers to be published. White Paper: cosla.gov.uk/__data/assets/… Executive Summary: cosla.gov.uk/__data/assets/… Press release: cosla.gov.uk/news/2026/marc…