1. New dementia strategy for Scotland: Everyone's Story

    The new Dementia Strategy for Scotland is a 10-year vision for change. This strategy was developed in collaboration with people with lived experience and our wider partners. It is the culmination of eight months of engagement with people across Scotland, focussed on how we improve delivery

  2. New dementia strategy for Scotland: summary

    This summary of our New Dementia Strategy for Scotland (a 10-year vision for change) sets out the difference we want to make, prioritising how we improve delivery and impact, with a focus on enhancing community supports.

  3. Seirbheis Nàiseanta a' Chùraim Aithris air Buannachdan

    Tha e a’ cur an cèill nam buannachdan a dh’fhaodas tighinn bhon t-Seirbheis Chùraim Nàiseanta, tro reachdas agus co-dhealbhachadh. Tha e a’ sealltainn far a bheil ’s dòcha feum air barrachd fianaise a thrusadh agus barrachd breithneachaidh gus cuideachadh le co-dhùnaidhean a thaobh cruth is lìbhrige

  4. Bile Seirbheis Nàiseanta a' Chùraim (Alba) Ceistean is Freagairtean – seiseanan conaltraidh

    As t-samhradh 2022, chùm sinn na ceithir seiseanan co-chonaltraidh againn air Bile na Seirbheis Cùraim Nàiseanta. Chaidh grunn cheistean a thogail sna seiseanan sin, mar sin tha sinn air ceistean is freagairtean (C is F) ullachadh airson nan ceistean sin

  5. Coronavirus (COVID-19) face masks and face coverings guidance withdrawal: letter

    Letter issued to the social care sector regarding the withdrawal of the ‘Coronavirus (COVID-19): Extended use of face masks and face coverings guidance’ across health and social care.

  6. Coronavirus (COVID-19): extended use of face masks and face coverings in hospitals, primary care and wider community healthcare

    Guidance for staff within acute hospitals, community hospitals, primary care and wider community healthcare, together with advice for visitors, including those attending for an appointment. This guidance was withdrawn on 16 May 2023.

  7. Personal Independence Payment: agency agreement

    Personal Independence Payment Agency Agreement between the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and Scottish Ministers in respect of people resident in Scotland.

  8. Attendance Allowance: agency agreement

    Attendance Allowance Agency Agreement between the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and the Scottish Ministers in respect of people resident in Scotland.

  9. Disability Living Allowance: agency agreement

    Disability Living Allowance Agency Agreement between the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and Scottish Ministers in respect of people resident in Scotland.

  10. Industrial Injuries Scheme benefits: agency agreement

    Industrial Injuries Scheme Agency Agreement between the Secretary of State For Work and Pensions and the Scottish Ministers in respect of benefits for people resident in Scotland.

  11. Social Security - Scottish Carer's Assistance consultation: Scottish Government response - easy read

    Easy read version of the Scottish Government response to the Scottish Carer's Assistance consultation carried out between 28 February 2022 and 25 May 2022.

  12. Carer's Allowance: agency agreement

    Carer’s Allowance Agency Level Agreement in respect of Carer's Allowance for people resident in Scotland between the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and Scottish Ministers.

  13. Carer's Allowance Supplement: Service Level Agreement between The Secretary of State For Work and Pensions and Scottish Ministers

    Service Level Agreement between The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and Scottish Ministers in respect of Carer’s Allowance Supplement

  14. Equality, opportunity, community: New leadership - A fresh start

    This publication sets out the First Minister’s vision for Scotland and the outcomes he and his government aim to achieve by 2026.

  15. Protecting care home residents’ rights

    Strengthened standards ensure fewer restrictions on visiting.

  16. National Islands Plan Annual Report 2022

    The Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 requires that a report is presented to Parliament each year setting out the progress made towards delivery of the National Islands Plan. This report sets out progress made during the 2022 reporting year.

  17. NAIT Adult Neurodevelopmental Pathways report

    In 2021, there was a recognised need to improve experiences and outcomes for autistic adults, adults with ADHD and those with co-occurring neurodevelopmental conditions in Scotland. This report details innovative and new ways of working towards these goals, including future recommendations.

  18. Social security - Scottish Carer's Assistance consultation: Scottish Government response

    Our response to the consultation analysis report about the Scottish Carer's Assistance consultation undertaken between 28 February 2022 and 25 May 2022.

  19. Support for kinship carers

    Kinship carers urged to check Scottish Child Payment eligibility.

  20. The Carer's Assistance (Carer Support Payment) (Scotland) Draft Regulations 2023

    Where Scottish Ministers propose to make regulations under the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018, they must make proposals publicly available. This page contains draft Carer Support Payment (Scotland) 2023 regulations which were sent to the Scottish Commission on Social Security on 3 March 2023.

  21. Scottish local government finance - Green Book: 2023-2024

    Scottish Local Government Finance Settlement 2023-24: Funding Allocation Formula.

  22. Dementia strategy - national conversation: what people told us

    High-level summary of the collective written and oral evidence we received on our national conversation to information a new dementia strategy. It outlines the range of responses received, as well as the evidence-based rigour we brought to this analysis through using thematic analysis techniques.

  23. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME-CFS): good practice statement

    Guidance to support the diagnosis and management of ME/CFS in primary care. This was originally published in 2010 and we have partially updated it to insert key recommendations from the NICE Guideline on ME/CFS published in October 2021.

  24. Transitions to adulthood for disabled young people: literature review

    A literature review, commissioned by the Scottish Government, of existing Scottish, UK and International evidence on the experiences faced by disabled young people during their transition to adulthood. The review also explores best practice in supporting disabled young people during this time.

  25. Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity Bill: scoping work analysis 2022 - easy read

    Easy read version of a report summarising the findings of the Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity Bill pre-consultation exercise.

  26. Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity Bill: scoping analysis 2022

    This report summarises the findings of the Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity Bill pre-consultation exercise. It is an analysis of 30 workshops carried by Scottish Government and its partners with people with learning disabilities and autistic people.

  27. Choosing a care home on discharge from hospital: guidance

    Refreshed guidance for health boards, local authorities and Integration Authorities on supporting patients and families through the process of choosing a care home on discharge from hospital.

  28. Health and social care: data strategy

    Scotland’s first data strategy for health and social care, setting out how we will work together in transforming the way that people access their own data to improve health and wellbeing; and how care is delivered through improvements to our systems.

  29. Health and social care: data strategy - executive summary

    Executive summary of the data strategy for health and social care.

  30. Carer Support Payment to be piloted by the end of this year

    Timetable for introduction of future benefits confirmed.  

  31. Supporting roots: report

    Report providing a broad picture of the needs of birth parents who have lost a child or children to ‘care’, and of the support and services that are currently available in Scotland. This report is designed to support best practice and service innovation.

  32. Child Winter Heating Assistance: service level agreement between The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and Scottish Ministers

    Service Level Agreement between The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and Scottish Ministers in respect of Child Winter Heating Assistance.

  33. Boosting the social care workforce

    Campaign aims to help fill vacant posts.

  34. Action to cut delayed discharge

    National exercise to re-assess hospital patients who are clinically safe to be discharged.

  35. Additional Winter support for NHS

    Measures to help NHS deal with extreme pressure.

  36. National Carers Strategy

    New strategy to improve the lives of unpaid carers.

  37. National carers strategy: executive summary

    Unpaid care is vital to how social care is provided in Scotland, and the value of the dedication and expertise of carers cannot be overstated. This strategy sets out a range of actions to ensure they are supported fully in a joined up and cohesive way.

  38. National carers strategy

    Unpaid care is vital to how social care is provided in Scotland, and the value of the dedication and expertise of carers cannot be overstated. This strategy sets out a range of actions to ensure they are supported fully in a joined up and cohesive way.

  39. Care homes – new support arrangements: advice note

    Letter and guidance setting out new arrangements for NHS Boards and local authorities in providing enhanced clinical and care support for care homes.

  40. Delivering value based health and care: a vision for Scotland

    Sets out the challenges our system is facing and how practising Realistic Medicine can deliver a more sustainable system. It includes six commitments on what we’ll do to support health and care professionals deliver care that people value.

  41. Coronavirus (COVID-19): living with dementia in care homes

    Guidance on supporting people with dementia or cognitive impairment to remain safe during periods of isolation.

  42. Health and social care - data strategy: consultation analysis

    An independent analysis of the responses to our public consultation to inform the development of Scotland’s first data strategy for health and social care, due for publication in early 2023.

  43. Preparing the NHS for Winter

    More than £600 million to support services.

  44. Coronavirus (COVID-19): social care staff support fund guidance

    Guidance for social care workers and employers about the Social Care Staff Support Fund, that aims to ensure social care workers do not experience financial hardship if they are ill or self-isolating due to coronavirus.

  45. Putting people at the heart of social care

     National Care Service Forum will let the real experts help shape reforms.

  46. A new story for Dementia

    Voices of people with dementia, their families and carers to shape new strategy.

  47. Pausing asymptomatic Covid-19 testing

    Change will come into effect at the end of the month.

  48. Spotlight on social care as independent reviewer appointed

    Fresh look at inspection and regulation of social care.

  49. Help shape the new National Care Service

    Applications open to join Lived Experience Experts Panel.

  50. Getting involved in designing the National Care Service (easy read)

    Easy read description of how to get involved in the Lived Experience Experts Panel and National Care Service Stakeholder Register.

  51. Facemasks no longer recommended in social care

    Guidance relaxed in line with latest clinical advice.

  52. My Health, My Care, My Home - healthcare framework for adults living in care homes

    Framework providing a series of recommendations that aims to transform the healthcare for people living in care homes.

  53. Young people urged to apply for Job Start Payment

    Extra money for unemployed young people who are starting work

  54. National Care Service Bill published

    New vision for the future of social care.

  55. Coronavirus (COVID-19): social care worker death in service payment

    Information on the social care worker death in service benefit, including who can apply and how to apply.

  56. Family visits made easier for care home residents

     Continuing to support people in adult care homes to connect with others.

  57. Scotland’s carers: update release

    Latest up to date estimates of the number of carers living in Scotland.

  58. New Health and Social Care Standards for care homes

    Reinforcing the rights of residents to have visits and care from loved ones.

  59. Children's Social Work Statistics, Scotland 2020-21

    Children's Social Work Statistics for Scotland for 2020 to 2021, including data on children and young people looked after, on the child protection register and in secure care accommodation.

  60. Public backing for Anne’s Law

    Consultation finds ‘almost unanimous’ support for care home visit rights.

  61. Improved support for Scotland’s unpaid carers

    Plans for a new benefit.

  62. Second boosters for at-risk groups

    Spring dose to boost protection.

  63. Plea to help vulnerable adults at risk of harm

    More than 700 referrals made every week.

  64. Nearly 82,000 carers benefit from additional double payment

    £57.6 million support for carers in 2021

  65. Strong support for proposed National Care Service

    Analysis of consultation responses published.

  66. Carers Act funding: letter to councils and integration authorities

    Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport regarding Carers Act implementation funding.

  67. Looking after social work and social care staff

    New £1 million fund for workforce wellbeing.

  68. National Care Service consultation responses published

    Nearly 1,300 individuals and organisations took part.

  69. Restrictions eased for care home residents

    Isolation periods reduced and removed.

  70. Staff joining social care to have fees waived

    SSSC registration and PVG checks to be funded.

  71. Help for unpaid carers

    Funding for wellbeing support and services.

  72. Prioritising essential social care services

    Maximising efforts to protect and maintain critical and essential services.

  73. Advice on visiting care homes and hospitals

    Visits to people in hospital and care homes to continue with additional measures of protection.

  74. Over £300 million new winter investment for health and care

    Record winter funding package to help increase NHS and social care capacity this winter.

  75. Giving care home residents the right to see and spend time with those who are important to them

    Views sought on the best way to introduce ‘Anne’s Law’.

  76. Coronavirus (COVID-19): £500 payment for health and social care staff - questions and answers

    Answers to frequently asked questions by health and social care staff following the announcement of a £500 payment for staff, by the First Minister on 30 November 2020.

  77. Further progress on opening up care homes

     Residents can now have safer contact with named visitors during a COVID-19 outbreak.

  78. Hospital at Home

    £2.6 million further funding.

  79. First steps towards a National Care Service

    ‘Real life experts’ to help focus on what really matters to people receiving social care.

  80. Carers (Scotland) Act 2016: statutory guidance - updated July 2021

    Statutory guidance for local authorities, health boards and integration authorities on effective implementation of the provisions of the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 (‘the Act’). It will also be of interest to other organisations working alongside statutory bodies to deliver carer support.

  81. Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007: code of practice

    The purpose of the refresh is to ensure adult support and protection guidance takes account of policy and practice developments since the Act was introduced in 2007, and thus bring the guidance up to date with current legislation and relevant changes in policy and legislation.

  82. The Adult Support And Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 part 1: guidance for adult protection committees

    The purpose of the refresh is to ensure adult support and protection guidance takes account of policy and practice developments since the Act was introduced in 2007, and thus bring the guidance up to date with current legislation and relevant changes in policy and legislation.

  83. Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007: code of practice

    The purpose of the refresh is to ensure adult support and protection guidance takes account of policy and practice developments since the Act was introduced in 2007, and thus bring the guidance up to date with current legislation and relevant changes in policy and legislation.

  84. Social care Personal Assistants to receive £500 payment

    Dedicated portal to reach last group of social care workers.

  85. Open with Care – supporting people in adult care homes to have meaningful contact with others: progress report

    This report summarises progress with the implementation of Open with Care - supporting meaningful contact in care homes guidance since publication. The report recognises the excellent progress and identifies key actions where care homes and partners can improve and embed good quality, meaningful contact as the norm.

  86. Dementia - health and social services staff: framework - Promoting Excellence 2021

    Promoting Excellence 2021 is a framework for all health and social services staff working with people with dementia, their families and carers.

  87. Social care - self-directed support: national framework - learning review

    As part of the development of a national framework for self-directed support, Social Work Scotland commissioned a small-scale learning review to map the approach taken by the self-directed support team and bring together the learning from throughout the project.

  88. Social care - self-directed support: framework of standards

    This framework consists of a set of standards (including practice statements and core components) written specifically for local authorities to provide them with an overarching structure, aligned to legislation and statutory guidance, for further implementation of the self-directed support approach and principles.

  89. Fair pay for social care workers

    Staff to be paid at least the Real Living Wage.

  90. Adult social care: independent review - easy read version

    Easy-read version of the Independent Review of Adult Social Care in Scotland, which sets out a vision for a new system of social care.

  91. Improving the future of health and social care

    People will have more say in how services are delivered.

  92. Launch of new vaccination campaign

    Self-registration service for unpaid carers.

  93. Carers Act Finance 2021-2022: letter

    Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport about additional funding in the 2021-2022 Scottish Budget, for expanding support for unpaid carers under the Carers Act.

  94. Second doses given to more than half of care home residents

    The injection gives people longer lasting protection.

  95. Care home visits to resume

    Families reunited with relatives in care.

  96. Backing for Feeley Review recommendations

    First steps include a £20 million Community Change Fund.

  97. More help with free personal and nursing care

    Savings for people with dementia and other care needs.

  98. Vaccine programme moves to next stage

    Mass vaccination centres to open in Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

  99. Over £16 billion investment in health

    Funding for NHS, mental health and drug services.

  100. Mental health support for health and social care staff

    Frontline workers to get specialist help.

  101. Extra funding to support unpaid carers

    Additional £750,000 investment will help people take a break from caring roles.

  102. Coronavirus (COVID-19): day services for adults - letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport - 15 January 2021

    Letter addressed to the health and social care sector to clarify that essential day service support can continue throughout the current lockdown and adult day centres can continue to operate.

  103. £600,000 for young carers

    Over 2000 young carers receive Young Carer Grant.

  104. Strengthening support for people with dementia and their carers

    New dementia recovery plan published.

  105. Hospital and care home visiting update

    Keeping residents and patients safe over Christmas and New Year period.

  106. Testing for care home visitors gets underway

    New approach to be trialled in 14 care homes.

  107. Health and Social Care staff reflect on impact of Covid-19 pandemic

    Survey reveals pride in service and achievements, despite challenges

  108. Carers urged to seek support

    Still Game star highlights valued work of the country’s carers in new campaign.

  109. Adults who lack capacity - discharge process: key actions

    Identifies the key messages gathered from Adults with Incapacity (AWI) peer support sessions run between a number of Health and Social Care Partnerships and local operational guidance in place for managing adults who lack capacity and who are preparing for discharge.

  110. Adult social care - winter preparedness plan: 2020 to 2021

    This plan sets out the measures already in place that must be retained and those that need to be introduced across the adult social care sector over winter 2020 to 2021.

  111. Clinical and scientific review of testing

    Testing capacity on track to reach 65,000.

  112. Benefit for young carers enters second year

    People urged to check if they are eligible to apply again.

  113. Funding for those who need it most

    Over £30 million to tackle financial insecurity.

  114. Coronavirus (COVID-19): reopening day centres for adults - letter from Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport

    Letter from Jeane Freeman MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport, issued today regarding the reopening of day centres for adults.

  115. Coronavirus (COVID-19): residential respite services - letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport and the Minister for Children and Young People

    Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport and the Minister for Children and Young People providing an update on guidance to support the remobilisation of stand-alone residential respite/short break facilities for both children and adults

  116. Health and well-being visits to care homes to resume

    Safe and phased return of visitors who improve quality of life.

  117. Home Farm care home

    Home purchased by NHS Highland.

  118. Review of adult social care

    Expert panel will report by January 2021.

  119. Identifying care home risks earlier

    Better information recording for residents and staff.

  120. £2.9 million more for social care

    31 projects secure an additional year’s funding.

  121. Care home visiting expanded

    Next stage of family visiting introduced.

  122. Further £50 million for social care sector

    Funding to help meet COVID-19 related costs.

  123. Coronavirus (COVID-19): letter to Health and Social Care Partnerships

    Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport and the Minister for Children and Young People about the reopening of respite and day care services.

  124. Visiting care homes

    Phased reintroduction of family visiting and communal activities for residents.

  125. £300,000 for young carers

    Carers Week launched with additional support.

  126. Extra payment for carers to help through coronavirus

    Eligible carers to get an additional £230.10.

  127. Supporting Scotland’s social care workers

    Plans for death in service cover and enhancements to statutory sick pay.

  128. Strengthened clinical oversight for care homes

    New arrangements to help care providers deal with pandemic pressures.

  129. Care Home Support Powers

    New ‘safety net’ proposed for care sector due to COVID-19.

  130. £50 million for social care

    Funding to help with additional COVID-19 costs.

  131. Extra payment for unpaid carers

    Investment of £19.2 million to support 83,000 carers

  132. Extending PPE access to all social care providers

    Supplies to be given to unpaid and family carers and personal assistants.

  133. Supporting families through COVID-19

    140,000 children and young people provided with free school meals.

  134. Protecting care home workers

    PPE to be delivered direct to more than one thousand locations.

  135. Tenants to be given extra protection

    Emergency Scottish legislation in response to coronavirus.

  136. Social care at heart of response to coronavirus (COVID-19)

    Scottish Government to meet increased costs.

  137. Implications of labour markets for the social care workforce: report

    Independent research on the influence of national and local labour markets on the social care sector.

  138. More older people to be treated at home

    Extra funding will reduce hospital stays.

  139. Record investment in health and care

    Increased funding for frontline NHS boards.

  140. Young Carer Grant extended

    Most vulnerable young people now eligible.

  141. Large increase in crisis grants paid out

    Low income families provided with more than £3 million in one quarter to cover emergencies.

  142. Appropriate Adults: guidance for local authorities

    Guidance for local authorities about their statutory duties relating to the provision of Appropriate Adult services.

  143. Managing self-directed support for adults with incapacity: guidance

    Guidance on managing self-directed support for adults with incapacity.

  144. Sustainable health and social care services

    UK’s first integrated workforce plan published.

  145. Carers to receive extra cash by Christmas

    Next Carer’s Allowance Supplement to be paid mid-December

  146. Adult protection significant case reviews: interim framework

    Framework to support a consistent approach to conducting adult protection significant case reviews and improve the dissemination and application of learning both locally and nationally. This framework is for all partners.

  147. Low income families helped

    Scottish Welfare Fund provides grants to those most in need.

  148. New benefit for young carers

    16-18 year-olds to get cash support from next week.

  149. Supporting adults at risk from harm

    New action plan for vulnerable people.

  150. Adult support and protection improvement plan 2019-2022

    Plan to complement and strengthen local adult support and protection improvement activity, provide assurance and identify future areas for improvement so that adults at risk of harm in Scotland are supported and protected.

  151. Extra Support for Young Carers

    New benefit for eligible teenagers to launch this autumn.

  152. Social care support reform: vision

    Our shared vision for adult social care support, including support for carers.

  153. Progress on integration of health and social care

    Joint report with COSLA published.

  154. Understanding health and social care standards: booklet for unpaid carers

    This booklet is to help unpaid carers to understand and use the new health and social care standards.

  155. Health and social care delivery plan

    Delivery plan to set out the framework and actions needed to ensure that our health and social care services are fit to meet requirements.

  156. Planning and delivering integrated health and social care: guidance

    Guidance on the planning and delivery principles which describe how integrated care should be planned and delivered and how the principles will work in tandem with the National Health and Wellbeing Outcomes.

  157. Health and social care integration - financial assurance: guidance

    Guidance for health boards, local authorities and integration joint boards on a process of assurance to help ensure the success of integrating health and social care.

  158. Health and Social Care Integration: core indicators

    Describes the proposed core suite of indicators that Integration Authorities will use to measure progress towards the National Health and Wellbeing Outcomes.

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