Scottish Care Sets Out Vision for Social Care Reform

Scottish Care has published a new discussion paper exploring how social care in Scotland could be reformed to better support individuals, families and communities.

Care Creates: A Framework for the Reform of Social Care in Scotland sets out a vision for a system that recognises social care as essential to Scotland's wellbeing, economy and communities, with greater emphasis on independence, choice, relationships and participation.

The paper identifies several areas where change is needed, including:

• More investment in prevention: Strengthening early intervention and community-based support, rather than relying predominantly on crisis services.

• A valued workforce: Improving pay, working conditions, training, career development and long-term workforce planning.

• Sustainable services: Ensuring organisations receive fair, sustainable funding that reflects the true cost of delivering quality care.

• Stronger community involvement: Giving people who access care, unpaid carers, community organisations and providers a greater say in decisions about local services.

• Clearer accountability: Making responsibilities for funding, commissioning and delivering care more transparent.

• Greater local flexibility: Recognising the different needs of communities across Scotland, including rural, island and remote areas.

Importantly, the paper highlights the contribution of Scotland's diverse social care sector, including charitable, voluntary, independent, public, co-operative and community organisations. It argues that these providers should be recognised as strategic partners in planning and shaping services, rather than simply organisations delivering commissioned contracts.

What could reform look like?

Scottish Care explores three possible models for the future of social care in Scotland: strengthened local government leadership, NHS-led regional commissioning, and the creation of an independent National Care Trust.

The paper does not endorse a particular model. Instead, it provides a framework for assessing different approaches and considers how each could improve people's experiences, strengthen services and support the long-term sustainability of social care.

The overarching ambition is to create a system that enables people to live independently, maintain relationships and remain connected to their communities, while ensuring the organisations and workforce delivering support have the resources they need.

Read the full paper: Care Creates - Reform Paper (Web Ver)

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