8 October 2024

Research highlights ‘uneven landscape’ of social care commissioning and procurement

Two new reports published by CCPS today explores current context and shares ideas for improvement

Two reports published by CCPS today examine the current reality of commissioning and procurement of adult social care (ASC) support and services in Scotland.

The first report, by Professor Stephen Gibb, brings together the results of a scoping literature review of published evidence on ethical commissioning, summarising the context for strategic planning, commissioning and procurement of ASC in Scotland.

Written by Professor Anne Hendry, the accompanying study presents the results of qualitative interviews with a sample of national and local stakeholders involved in commissioning and procurement of ASC support and services.

Together, the research makes clear the complexity and contradictions of adult social care policy, funding, regulation, planning, commissioning, procurement and service delivery.

Drawing on views from a range of interviewees, Professor Hendry’s report shares ideas for improvement, including on the role of Integrated Joint Boards.

Reflecting on what she had heard as part of the study, Professor Hendry said:

“It was a privilege to learn from the experience of people directly involved in commissioning adult social care support and services across Scotland. Commissioners and providers alike called for simpler processes that enable more collaborative commissioning.

“There was a strong sense that this need not, and indeed cannot, wait for new legislation or new structure and it was refreshing to hear what can be achieved now with a strong focus on value and outcomes.

“However, sustainable change requires investment in the social care workforce supported by collaborative leadership, culture and relational practice that respects place and rebalances power.”

Professor Gibb highlighted the distinctive nature of commissioning and procurement in social care and the need to support innovation. He said:

“There are big gaps in the literature, recognising that in principles and practice the commissioning and procurement of social care is distinctive and different from other kinds of purchaser-provider relations.

“Changes like ethical commissioning may bring fresh impetus to better connect and channel the strategic intents of purchasers, local and national government with service providers. Enablers of change need to be identified, for fair funding of collaborations which give the right providers the resources they need for enabling services that matter and their improvement.”

Welcoming publication of the research, CCPS’s CEO Rachel Cackett said:

“At a time of intense debate about reform of social care, these reports provide our members, the wider sector and parliamentarians with valuable insight into the uneven landscape of commissioning and procurement in 2024.

“Having an overview of current guidance and hearing from a spectrum of stakeholders about their experiences helps to strengthen our understanding of the degree of inequity in the system, and what improvement could achieve.”

The research was conducted on behalf of CCPS between March and June 2024, in advance of the publication by the Scottish Government of its draft amendments to Stage 2 of the National Care Service (NCS) Bill.

It builds on previous related publications by CCPS, including a series of interviews with representatives of third sector providers about the viability and future of ethical commissioning and procurement.

Stephen Gibb is Professor of Human Resource and Organisation Development at the University of the West of Scotland.

Anne Hendry is Senior Associate, International Foundation for Integrated Care (IFIC), Director, IFIC Scotland and Honorary Professor, University of the West of Scotland.

Read report 1: ‘From strategic intent to procurement of adult social care and support in Scotland: Literature Review’, by Professor Stephen Gibb.

Read report 2: ‘From strategic intent to procurement of adult social care and support in Scotland: Analysis of current experience and ideas for improvement’, by Professor Anne Hendry.

The reports were produced by CCPS’s Commissioning and Procurement programme through funding from the Scottish Government.

 

 

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26 July 2024

Staffing crisis deepens as 81% of providers report recruitment needs as higher or same as previous year

Almost two-thirds of not-for-profit social care organisations have increased recruitment spend but vacancy rates remain unsustainably high, according to new research out today

Almost two-thirds of not-for-profit social care organisations have increased recruitment spend but vacancy rates remain unsustainably high, according to new research published today. 

Responses captured in the 2023 Social Care Benchmarking Report demonstrate the scale of sector-wide sustainability issues, with serious recruitment, retention and staffing challenges persisting.

The report reveals that, across 2022-23, 95% of organisations found it either ‘very difficult’ or ‘quite difficult’ to recruit frontline staff.

The top three reasons for recruitment difficulties were ‘pay levels’, ‘too few applications’ and ‘local competitors’ such as retail.

The Coalition of Care and Support Providers in Scotland (CCPS) and the HR Not-for-Profit Sector Forum (HRNFPSF) commissioned the University of Strathclyde to conduct the benchmarking survey and analysis for member organisations.

The Executive Summary of the report is published today and available to download here.

The study also found:

  • Just over one-third of respondents (33%) reported an increase in the number of agency workers used in the last 12 months.
  • Frontline posts remain the most difficult to fill, with 95% of respondents experiencing difficulties in recruiting operations staff. This was followed by managers (64%) and supervisors and administrative support (27%).
  • Two-thirds of respondents had an overspend on recruitment in relation to their predicted recruitment budget. Reasons for this included: subscriptions to recruitment websites and targeted advertising; high turnover meaning more adverts required; costs of PVGs; increased recruitment activity given volume of vacancies and severity of recruitment difficulties; greater need to use more paid recruitment sites, particularly for HR and finance staff; and readvertisement.

Rachel Cackett, Chief Executive of CCPS, said:

“The findings of the survey again demonstrate the immense challenges faced by not-for-profit social care providers in recruiting and retaining the staff needed to ensure consistent, quality support for everyone who needs it. The evidence is part of a bigger picture of a sector under intense pressure.

“Yesterday’s report from Audit Scotland on the finances and performance of Scotland’s Integrated Joint Boards highlighted that providers are doing everything they can, with a driven and committed workforce, but that their hands are tied.

“Faced with competition from other sectors who pay more and a government that sets the base wage, they are unable to increase pay to retain staff and ensure consistency for people who need support.

“If providers are to be part of a system that is resilient to the kind of pressures that will be faced through the coming winter, the Scottish Government must take action on Fair Work and make its choice absolutely clear in September’s Programme for Government.”

“The First Minister has prioritised reducing delayed hospital discharge. But a limited focus on this will do little to address wider dysfunction in our integrated health and social care system that this survey, Audit Scotland’s report, and evidence from our members, confirms.”

Kevin Staunton, Chair of the HR Not-For-Profit Sector Forum, said:

“I would like thank all our members who were able to participate in the survey. Last year I commented that it would be great to see positive progress become a reality after years of warm words about parity of esteem for the sector, the people who employ and the people we support.

“This report shows in stark terms the increasing challenges that organisations face in recruiting new candidates and retaining a good quality workforce in the face of continued threats to the funding of vital services, and in the disparity in pay between the work undertaken by the sector and like for like work / roles being provided by local authority providers and the NHS.

“It highlights key measures to ensure the survival of the not-for-profit sector, meet these aspirations and fulfil the hopes of our dedicated and values-led workforce. Our Forum members invite you to read the report and we extend an open invitation to work with others to make our aims a reality.”

(ends)

Media contacts:

Chris Small: chris.small@ccpscotland.org / Anna Tully: anna.tully@ccpscotland.org

Notes

The headline figure of 81% comprises 43% of respondents reporting their recruitment needs were higher than in the previous year and 38% of respondents stating recruitment needs were the same as last year. This reflects that, for more than one-third of respondents, their recruitment needs stayed consistently high.

The HR Not-for-Profit Sector Forum (HRNFPSF) and Coalition of Care and Support Providers in Scotland (CCPS) commissioned the University of Strathclyde to conduct the benchmarking survey and analysis for member organisations.

With thanks to the team at the University of Strathclyde’s Department of Work, Employment & Organisation and their colleagues at the universities of St Andrews and Middlesex.

The study involved 22 participant organisations. 55% of respondents provided adult social care, 23% identified their function as ‘other’, and 14% were primarily engaged in housing support.

CCPS is the voice of the not-for-profit social care providers in Scotland.

HRNFPSF is a CIPD special interest group of third sector organisations and individuals. The Forum supports practice and information sharing alongside commissioning research relevant to the third sector workforce to inform and influence national decision-making.

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17 July 2024

Right language ‘key to recruiting qualified social care staff’, new report finds  

Terminology in job descriptions and recruitment materials is crucial in attracting qualified social care professionals, according to a new study

A new report from CCPS explores the use of language and narrative in recruitment processes within the not-for-profit social care and support sector.

Choice of language in job descriptions and recruitment materials is crucial in attracting qualified social care professionals, according to 96% of respondents surveyed as part of the research.

The study aims to improve recruitment process outcomes through defining language that attracts a pool of candidates who are well suited to roles on offer. 

The report also offers recommendations to provider organisations and highlights key findings from survey and focus group research.  

Download the publication here (condensed version)

Taking a sector-wide approach, it recognises the current recruitment challenges while acknowledging the strides made in using language that can resonate with potential candidates. 

There has been a concerted effort to move away from overly technical or jargon-heavy descriptions towards clear, accessible terminology that accurately represents roles and expectations.  

But during a time of recruitment crisis, the report finds more needs to be done to inform candidates of the opportunities a career in social care can offer.  

Welcoming publication of the report, Kristy Lambert, CCPS’s Policy & Projects Officer – Workforce, said:  

“CCPS is grateful to everyone who took part in this study. Their participation allows for relevant and important research to be produced in the hope of improving the outcomes of recruitment within the sector. 

“We hope the report offers organisations ideas for implementation within their own language of recruitment and that its findings are useful.” 

The report looks across a variety of themes including job descriptions, emphasis on career development, job requirements such as emotional intelligence and soft skills, job benefits, inclusivity and diversity in language, streamlining application processes and more.   

The publication was researched and produced by CCPS’s Workforce Programme, which is funded by the Scottish Government.

Read the condensed version of the report

Read the full version of the report

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