Interim National Care Service Advisory Board: Advice to Scottish Ministers - Fair Work

Introduction

1. In his Independent Review of Adult Social Care,^[1] Derek Feeley reflected that in social care there is:

“a workforce that is undervalued, badly paid for vital, skilled work, held in low esteem in comparison particularly to the health workforce, poorly supported in terms of learning and development, and generally under-represented”

2. The interim NCS Advisory Board considers it essential that the social care workforce is treated fairly and equitably. This is necessary for the dignity, morale and wellbeing of those individuals, and for those for whom they provide care. The interim Board is clear that only by valuing social care staff can we attract and retain the right individuals into the workforce, to ensure that in turn, high quality services can be provided to people. This advice relates specifically to the social care workforce, and does not extend to social workers.

3. The interim Board is aware that there has been significant work jointly undertaken by partners in the area of fair work in recent years. While encouraged by this work, increasing pressures on the social care system and the associated workforce are such that further action must be taken now as an immediate priority. Without such action, service delivery, including both choice and quality of care for service users of all ages, will be significantly further impacted.

4. Delivering fair work, initially through the introduction of sectoral bargaining, will help improve recruitment, secure better retention, and help build a more professional workforce which feels valued and where people can plan and build long-term careers. Such a workforce provides a critical underpinning for the interim Board’s remaining priorities:

• GIRFE – whereby an informed, motivated staff can coalesce around the person, and ensure that people are supported in the way that works best for their whole life and wider wellbeing
• Self-directed support – where a valued workforce has the confidence and understanding to ensure that people have choice and control over their social care support and right to independent living
• Rights to breaks for carers – where sufficient, appropriately skilled staff are essential to ensuring the right sort of support is available
• Coming Home – where a skilled, experienced workforce is required to provide the necessary support to enable people with complex care needs to return to their community