10 June 2025

Social care reform bill’s conclusion “far from its original aspiration”

Ahead of today’s Stage 3 parliamentary debate on the Care Reform (Scotland) Bill, we’ve published a briefing outlining our views on final amendments to the legislation

Ahead of today’s Stage 3 debate in parliament on the Care Reform (Scotland) Bill, CCPS has published a briefing outlining its position on key, final amendments to the legislation.

Consideration of the legislation at this stage comes more than four years after publication of the Independent Review of Adult Social Care, led by Derek Feeley, which set out an ambitious vision for social care reform that had widespread support.

However, following the Scottish Government’s decision in January to scrap the original version of the legislation – after a controversial passage through parliament – the re-named Bill is no longer underpinned by most of Feeley’s recommendations, including formation of a National Care Service.

Our briefing focuses on the amendments introduced by MSPs related to commissioning and Fair Work, both of which remain essential to effecting improvement.

However, CCPS’s CEO Rachel Cackett said:

“As the briefing makes clear, we are immensely disappointed that what was described as the biggest public sector reform of a generation is now a much more limited Bill.  A small number of important Stage 3 amendments are attempting to address key elements of a National Care Service otherwise completely lost in the renamed Bill, but this legislation falls far short of the aspirations for much needed change we all signed up to in the Feeley review.

“As a member of the new NCS Interim Advisory Board I have to hope that, with our partners, we can drive the fundamental changes to social care needed now outside of a legislative process that has taken three years. Feeley’s recommendations remain central to CCPS priorities for what comes next, as I know it does for many of our partners.”

In April CCPS,  the Coalition of Carers, Glasgow Disability Alliance, the Health and Social Care Alliance, Inclusion Scotland and Scottish Care, jointly published The National Care Service – Where Now?, a new paper arguing for a return to focus on Feeley’s recommendations including increased investment and clarity of purpose.

Click here to read the briefing

Click here to read The NCS – Where Now?

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29 November 2023

Social care commissioning system is ‘out of whack’, new publication finds

Eight sector leaders provide perspectives on the viability of ethical commissioning and procurement, through interviews with journalist Pennie Taylor

A new publication from the Coalition of Care & Support Providers (CCPS) explores the viability of an ethical approach to planning and purchasing social care, with eight sector leaders providing their perspectives on the current landscape through interviews with journalist Pennie Taylor.

The publication, “It’s out of whack!”,  highlights how commissioning and procurement has a significant impact on the delivery of support services, sustainability of providers, the workforce and on people receiving support.

Download the publication (PDF)

Interviewees consider how meaningful partnership, community-level co-production and innovative thinking could address unprecedented service challenges.

As reflected in the publication title, which draws on a comment from C-Change CEO Sam Smith, the consensus view is that the commissioning system as it stands is unbalanced.

CEOs, directors and managers interviewed make clear the risks not implementing reform poses to providers, and the major steps still required to realise the “collaborative, rights-based and participative approach” that was outlined in Derek Feeley’s Independent Review of Adult Scotland Care.

Catherine Garrod, CCPS Programme Manager – Commissioning and Procurement, said: “The expert voices in these interviews demonstrate how Third Sector care and support providers already deliver high quality personalised care and support and work to improve the outcomes of the people they support, in spite of the system.

“These are voices that need to be heard and included in finding the solutions to make the shift we all want – and need – to see for people who require support.

Pennie Taylor said: “The concept of ethical commissioning and procurement has been embedded in the proposals for a National Care Service for Scotland, but a new way of working cannot wait for that. Instead, the people I spoke to for “It’s out of whack!” all want to see action taken to galvanise change, using existing legislation to kickstart widespread reform without delay

“These features spotlight great examples of doing things differently, and describe first-hand experience of current practice that is far from ethical. They eloquently demonstrate the passion, commitment and creativity that keeps the Third Sector going, whatever the odds.”

Interviewees in the publication are Ben Bradbury, Business Development Manager, Capability Scotland; Ian Bruce, CEO, Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector; Drew Collier, Director of Development, includem; Dr Ron Culley, Chief Officer, Quarriers; Louise Moth, Contracts & Commissioning Manager, Scottish Autism; Julie Murray, Chief Officer, HSPC; Sam Smith, CEO of C-Change; and Andrew Thomson, Deputy Chief Executive, Carr Gomm.

The publication was commissioned by CCPS’s Commissioning and Procurement Programme, which is funded by the Scottish Government.

Find out more about the Commissioning and Procurement Programme

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