The number of mental health officer (MHO) posts in Scotland in 2024 was the highest since records began in 2005, however there continues to be a shortfall to meet demand, according to a new report published by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).
The Mental Health Officers Report 2024 shows an increase in the number of active MHO posts to 765, which is 36 more than in 2023. These posts were filled by 729 individuals (headcount) which is up from 697 in 2023.
The report shows the overall hours estimated to be spent on MHO duties also increased to its highest level since SSSC started recording it in 2016. The overall hours estimated to be spent on MHO duties each week in 2024 was 13,880. This is a 5.6% increase on the previous high of 13,149 reported in 2023.
Table : Headcount, active MHO posts, estimated weekly hours on MHO work and estimated hours per 10,000 population by local authority 2024
There are differences nationwide. In Orkney there were in 2023 34 social workers with 2 Mental Health Officers included in those posts. In 2022 the number of social workers remained the same but with 3 Mental Health Officers included in those posts. In 2021 there were 30 social workers with 3 Mental Health Officers included in those posts. And in 2020 there were 27 social workers with 4 Mental Health Officers included in the posts.
This chart provides a comparison, Hours on MHO work per 100,000 population by Local Authority,2016 to 2023
The report finds that “Assuming an average full time working week is 36 hours, then about 67 extra whole-time exclusive MHOs would be required across Scotland to fully address the reported shortfall. “
Details of shortfall in different authorities can be seen in the table below:
Estimated shortfall (hours per week) 2021 to 2024 by local authority
Key points from this year’s MHO report are set out below.
- There were 765 active MHO posts in 2024, which is 36 more than the 729 in 2023. This is the highest number since records began in 2005.
- The number of individuals (headcount) working as an MHO rose from 697 in 2023 to 729 in 2024.
- The overall hours estimated to be spent on MHO duties each week in 2024 was 13,880 the highest since 2016 when we started reporting this figure, the previous highest was in 2023 when it was 13,149.
- Since December 2020 there has been a rise of 19.5 percent of the hours worked by MHOs.
- Between 2023 and 2024 there was a rise of 731 hours (5.6%) in the overall hours estimated to be spent on MHO duties each week.
- Active exclusive MHO posts rose by 27 (9%), cover posts by 6 (10.3%), and non-exclusive posts by 3 (0.8%).
- Reported shortfall decreased by 497 hours per week (17.1%) from 2,914 to 2,417 hours per week.
- Between December 2023 and December 2024, 76 staff left 78 MHO posts.
Fiona Grahame