National Care Service evidence paper: people who work in adult social care services in Scotland - easy read

This easy read summary provides an overview of the available evidence on the adult social care workforce in Scotland. It is part of a collection of contextual evidence papers, setting out key sources of information about social care and related areas in Scotland.

This document is part of a collection


National Care Service Evidence paper: People who work in adult social care services in Scotland - Easy Read

In 2020 there were more than 1 hundred and 34 thousand people working in adult social care jobs in Scotland

This is a bit more than in 2011.

This is because there are more people working in housing support and care at home services.

In 2020 most adult social care staff in Scotland were female.

Nearly half of adult social care staff were aged 45 and over.

On average adult social care staff worked for 31 hours per week.

Most people were employed on permanent contracts.

This means that the job is there for as long as someone wants it.

Brexit and Covid-19 have both had a big effect on the adult social care workforce.

Nearly half of all social care employers and organisations said they had job vacancies.

It is hardest to get people to do jobs in:

  • care at home
  • housing support
  • care homes for older people

Many people who work in social care jobs do not have enough qualifications.

In 2020 just over half of social care staff had the right qualifications for their job.

In 2020 the private sector employed the most people in adult social care.

They employ nearly half of the people in the workforce.

Most people working in adult social care are in:

  • housing support and care at home
  • care homes for adults

By 2045 Scotland will have more older people and less younger people.

This will affect:

  • how many people will need social care
  • how many people will be available to work in social care jobs

Copyright images © Photosymbols. Prepared by Disability Equality Scotland

Contact

Email: SWstat@gov.scot

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