Our key asks for the next Scottish Government
The next Scottish Government must prioritise investment in care and support as a positive contribution to people’s lives, our communities and the Scottish economy.
We call on the next Scottish Government to:
1. Recognise that not-for-profit social care and support providers are key system partners in designing and delivering critical public service, and in enabling people to live longer, healthier, fulfilled lives in the community of their choosing.
Our members alone account for well over £1 billion of the social care and support system each year – most of which is taxpayers’ money. Public Service Reform can’t take place without us around the table in both design and delivery.
CCPS can be a strategic partner to a new government in positive reform that delivers for supported people and staff.
2. Prioritise an immediate, funded recovery plan to stabilise organisations. Give us the platform to continue to deliver essential services and the headroom to engage in reform. We need recognition that much of our sector is on the edge of viability after years of underinvestment and the impact of policies such as changes to employers’ eNICs. And we need urgent action.
3. Develop a medium-term reform plan with CCPS, and other partners, at pace. Providers, staff and supported people should never be in this position again. This plan should prioritise:
- A sustainable funding model for effective commissioning of services, which reflects the true costs of delivering good and accessible support. This includes full delivery of Fair Work promises.
- A funded national workforce programme for social care staff that supports and develops the skilled and valued care profession Scotland needs.
- A Scottish budget process which accounts for the benefits of investing in social care and support. Without this, social care will continue to struggle for an effective allocation of investment to make the changes politicians tell us they want.