Care Reform (Scotland) Bill Stage 3 debate: Social Care Minister's opening speech - 10 June 2025

Thank you Presiding Officer for the opportunity to address the chamber today on the Care Reform (Scotland) Bill.

I want to thank the Convener, members of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee and all of the other Committees, for their diligent scrutiny of the Bill, as well as members and their researchers who contributed and engaged with us on amendments to the Bill.

I would also like to thank stakeholders across the health and social care landscape, and everyone who contributed to co-design.

Thousands of people with lived experience of accessing care, from across Scotland, have given us their time and expertise to shape this legislation, and wider social care reform. Your voices have inspired lasting, meaningful change.

There is broad agreement that Scotland’s social care system must change and, while we have taken a revised approach to this Bill, our ambition for a National Care Service remains. This Bill is now focused on making vital improvements that we all agree are essential. They’ll make a real difference and provide a roadmap for the improvement of social care, social work, and community health.

Anne's Law

I am honoured to welcome members of the Care Home Relatives Scotland, who join us in the gallery today. Among them are relatives of Anne Duke, who this law is named after – Anne’s Law. I have been profoundly impacted by the conversations I have had with them. The emotional harm and trauma that they and their loved ones, and many others, suffered from being unable to see one another for such long, isolating periods during the pandemic must be acknowledged.

To make sure that this never happens again Anne’s Law will recognise family and friends as ‘essential care supporters’ – key members of their loved one's care team, not just visitors.

All of this started when Anne’s daughter, Natasha Hamilton, lodged a petition with the Scottish Parliament in November 2020, calling for care home residents to be allowed a designated visitor. Her tenacity and her unwavering commitment means that Anne’s Law will become law today.  

Further to this, the Bill now ensures greater oversight on visiting decisions. People will be able to request reviews of these decisions making sure the voices and needs of those living in care homes are truly heard.

I want to thank the Care Home Relatives Scotland for their constructive engagement over many years, which has led us to this point.

Right to breaks for carers

This week it is Carers Week, and this year’s theme is Caring About Equality. Too many unpaid carers miss out on opportunities in life and this Bill will ensure unpaid carers have a right to breaks, to support carers to have a life alongside caring. And to support this we have added £5 million to our voluntary sector short breaks fund for 2025/26, bringing it up to £13 million, so that more carers can take the time off that they deserve.

National Social Work agency

There’s a new National Chief Social Work Adviser will who champion social work across our health and care systems and provide professional leadership at a national level. They will be supported by the National Social Work Agency who will spearhead the effort to promote the social work profession, strengthening collaboration and improving education and professional development.

Independent advocacy

The Bill includes changes to improve access to independent advocacy.  The Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance has told us that the best way forward is to incrementally increase funding year-on-year to make sure that services remain high-quality and sustainable, and I am really pleased to be able to announce £500,000 in funding for 2026/27 to increase provision of independent advocacy services to guarantee that people are heard and are involved in decisions about their care.

Procurement

We know that ethical procurement plays a significant role in the quality of care services and that is why this Bill gives stakeholders more flexibility when buying services. It also introduces another procurement route for the third sector – making it easier to compete for contracts. 

Health and care information

The Bill will empower people to access information about their own needs and care when they need it. It also helps professionals, by improving the flow of information across care settings and the compatibility of systems – removing digital barriers so that people can focus on what matters.  

The Care Reform Bill is just one element of our wider and ambitious programme of social care reform.

Now last month, the National Care Service Advisory Board met for the first time.  The Board will help drive improvement and make sure services are consistent, fair, and high-quality no matter where you live in Scotland.

The Advisory Board will work alongside established national programmes, including:

• Getting it Right For Everyone, which promotes and enables person-led support right across Scotland
• Self-Directed Support, which plays a crucial role in giving people more choice and control over the care that they receive, with £22m invested in our SDS improvement plan
• our commitment to Fair Work and Fair Pay for all care workers in Scotland, including increased pay for social care workers
• and our targeted programme to reduce delayed discharge.

As I laid out in January, our new approach to the NCS means that Local Authorities and Health Boards will retain their existing statutory responsibilities. I look forward working with COSLA and the NHS to drive forward the improvements the Advisory Board suggest.

Each of these programmes has improved social care services across Scotland and will be vital pillars in the National Care Service – they represent what thousands of people with lived experience have told us is needed. But we need to pass this legislation to fully realise our shared goal – to improve social care, social work and community health for the people of Scotland. I urge you to support the Care Reform (Scotland) Bill to make this reality.

And I move the motion in my name, thank you.