Ready for Regulation: Equipping Today’s Care Workforce – 29 Oct 2025

Invitation to Join a Scottish Care and Care Inspectorate joint Event

Ready for Regulation: Equipping Today’s Care Workforce

🗓️Wednesday 29th October 2025
🕤 9:30am – 3:30pm
📍 Renfield Centre, 260 Bath Street, Glasgow

Social care regulation through inspection activity is important to support care providers and the ongoing improvement of care services in Scotland.  Current sector challenges and pressures have increased the need for collaborative working between care organisations and the Care Inspectorate.  This is to ensure important standards of care are maintained whilst appropriately supporting an overstretched workforce.

Scottish Care’s Workforce Matters is delighted to invite you to a one-day event bringing together social care providers, regulators, and workforce leaders to explore how regulation is shaping – and will continue to shape – the future of the social care workforce in Scotland.

This event offers a valuable opportunity to:

  • Gain insight into current and emerging Care Inspectorate regulatory approaches
  • Explore self-evaluation as a driver for service improvement
  • Hear directly from the social care workforce and contribute to a discussion around the provider experience of inspection
  • Engage with the Care Inspectorate on future regulation, workforce trends, and safe staffing obligations
  • Participate in interactive sessions and a panel discussion with Scottish Care members

Please note: While this is a free event, cancellations must be made by 22 October. Non-attendance without notice or late cancellations will incur a £25 fee to cover catering costs.

Download the programme here

Book your place here

Ready for Regulation Programme V1 (1)

Manifesto 2025 Session 5: Building Future Ready Care Systems

Scottish Care Members’ Manifesto 2026 – A Call to Action

Session 5: Building Future Ready Care Systems

Tuesday 14 October 2025, 1:00 pm

This fifth session in our seven-part series continues the momentum of the Scottish Care Members Manifesto: The True Cost of Care – A Call to Action.

We’ll focus on co-designing two key asks from Scotland’s social care services, advocating for:

  • Resilient, tech-enabled care systems that anticipate future challenges
  • Technology that enhances human connection and compassionate care

This session is an opportunity to shape the future of care by championing innovation, equity, and efficiency in how social care is delivered across Scotland.

Open to all Scottish Care members, please register via the Members Area of this website.

Manifesto 2025 Session 4: Fund Care Like It Matters, Because It Does

Scottish Care Members’ Manifesto 2026 – A Call to Action

Session 4: Fund Care Like It Matters, Because It Does

Tuesday 7 October 2025, 1:00 pm

This fourth session in our seven-part series continues the momentum of the Scottish Care Members Manifesto: The True Cost of Care – A Call to Action.

We’ll focus on co-designing two key asks that ensure Scotland’s social care services are:

  • Strategically funded for long-term sustainability
  • Resourced to deliver high-quality, person-led care

This session is an opportunity to shape the future of care by advocating for meaningful investment, financial fairness, and recognition of the true value of social care.

Open to all Scottish Care members, please register via the Members Area of this website.

Silverburn Care Home Expands to Meet Complex Care Needs

At Scottish Care, we’re proud to share stories that reflect the heart of social care. Known for its commitment to quality care, Silverburn is now entering a new chapter that’s not just about improvement, but about transformation driven by people, please read more below:


Silverburn has always been known for the quality of its care. What makes this moment special is not just the scale of improvement but the way it has come about. This is not about investing in things that look good on the surface. It is about building, together, a stronger foundation for people, care and community.

This whole journey came to life because of the will of owners, colleagues, residents and families to come together and take the next steps for the home. The investment has always been about people first, ensuring staff feel supported, families feel reassured, and residents feel truly at home.

A Mission Shared by Many

Our mission is simple but powerful: to be a home where every moment matters, every memory is cherished, and every day brings joy.

Together with colleagues, residents and families, we shaped our values to bring this to life:

  • We make moments that matter, where every interaction brings comfort, connection and joy.
  • We adapt and support, ensuring that as needs change, we are always ready to be there.
  • We make care a shared journey, walking alongside those we support with kindness and understanding.
  • We strive for growth every day, always learning, improving and finding new ways to make life better.
  • We make Silverburn a home, a place of warmth, trust and belonging for everyone who walks through our doors.

This is more than words in a brochure. It shows how listening and working together creates a home that is renewed, but always true to what makes Silverburn special.

Listening and Acting

Silverburn has always valued feedback. Now, with our new Feedback Station, that commitment is easier than ever. Residents, families and visitors can share their thoughts at any time, and reports go straight to decision makers every week. That means compliments are celebrated, suggestions are acted on, and concerns are resolved quickly, often before someone leaves the building.

Care here is not static. It grows stronger because we listen.

A Happy Home

The changes at Silverburn are more than an investment in a building. They are an investment in people. They celebrate the dedication of care staff who give so much of themselves every day, and they create the conditions for residents to live not only safely, but happily.

Silverburn shows that when you put care first and invest where it matters most, you do more than improve a home. You create a home shaped by its community, a happy home for residents, for families, and for the people proud to work here.

Boiler Plate

Silverburn Care Home is dedicated to creating a happy home where every moment matters. Guided by our values of compassion, connection and growth, we provide personalised care that evolves with the needs of our residents and families. From our new Complex Care Suites to our investment in staff training and development, everything we do is shaped with the people who matter most – residents, families and care staff. Silverburn is a place where the voices of those who live and work here shape the kind of happy home it continues to be.

Concert at the Park Returns for 2025

Concert at the Park Returns with Powerful Stories and Innovations in Dementia Care

The spirit of collaboration and creativity was alive and well at this year’s Concert at the Park: Sharing Best Practice in Dementia Care, where 3 local care homes: Fairview House, Torry Nursing Home, and Lethen Park came together to celebrate the power of person-centred dementia care.

This annual event, first launched in the summer of 2019 by passionate care leaders Mel (Fairview House) and Nadine (Torry Nursing Home), was created to offer a fresh platform for care homes to share what truly works, not textbook theory, but real-life, impactful practices. After a pause during the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was reignited in 2024 and continued with renewed energy in 2025, bringing together staff, residents, and community members in a joyful celebration of progress and purpose.

Fairview House: Golden Steps and Nursery Project

Fairview House presented its Golden Steps initiative, a programme designed to restore mobility and dignity through movement. A standout story featured a resident who arrived bed-bound and, through dedicated support, now walks with a Zimmer frame and recently performed a ballet routine for fellow residents and staff. The transformation was not just physical, but emotional, inspiring everyone who witnessed it.

Fairview also highlighted its Nursery Project, which uses lifelike baby dolls to evoke nurturing instincts and emotional connection among residents in the Memory Lane unit. The presence of the dolls complete with a crib and gentle routines, has had a profound impact. Residents engage in comforting behaviours such as rocking, singing, and storytelling, which can reduce anxiety, spark long-held memories of parenthood, and promote a sense of calm and purpose. Staff have observed increased verbal communication, emotional warmth, and even improved sleep patterns following interactions with the dolls.

Torry Nursing Home: Sensory Room for Comfort and Stimulation

Torry Nursing Home showcased its Sensory Room, a peaceful retreat designed to soothe and stimulate residents through light, sound, scent, and touch. With fibre optic lighting, calming music, aromatherapy, and tactile objects, the room offers a multi-sensory experience that helps reduce anxiety and agitation. Residents often emerge from the space visibly more relaxed, with improved mood and focus making it a vital part of their holistic care approach.

Lethen Park: Garden Therapy in Full Bloom

Lethen Park shared the success of its Garden Project, where residents actively care for the garden, planting herbs, watering flowers, weeding, and enjoying the fresh air. The garden is more than a scenic escape; it’s a therapeutic space that encourages routine, independence, and social interaction. Residents find joy in nurturing the plants, reminiscing about past gardens, and simply sitting among the greenery. The sensory richness of the outdoors has been shown to reduce stress, improve sleep, and enhance overall wellbeing.

Concert at the Park continues to grow as a beacon of innovation and heart in dementia care. It’s a reminder that when care homes come together to share what truly works, lives are transformed—not just for residents, but for families, staff, and the wider community.

We would like to thank JM for the fantastic music performance and the Duthie Park management for the perfect venue for this event!

AI Technology Transforms Pain Management at Glencairn Care Home

Residents at a care home in Edinburgh are being given a new lease of life thanks to artificial intelligence (AI) technology that is helping to reduce their pain and increase mobility.

Jozi Stables – Manager, Glencairn home

Jozi Stables, manager of Renaissance Care’s Glencairn home, said the wellbeing of residents – and staff morale – had improved after a pilot scheme with an innovative app that assesses pain using facial recognition.

Glencairn is among Renaissance Care’s 18 homes in Scotland that have been using PainChek, an AI-powered app that uses a camera on an ordinary smartphone or tablet to scan faces for tiny changes called micro-expressions to detect pain.

Studies have shown that chronic pain is widespread among care home residents with some suggesting that as many as half are cognitively impaired and may be unable to communicate symptoms such as pain or anxiety [1].

It is recognised that the effects of chronic pain significantly reduce residents’ quality of life, limiting their mobility, restricting their social life, causing depression, irritability and tiredness.

Jozi stressed that human care remains at the centre of Glencairn’s ethos but admitted that the technology had improved the ability of staff to identify pain in residents, especially those who are non-verbal or unable to communicate their discomfort.

“The most significant improvement has been a 100 per cent reduction in severe pain levels among residents since the system was introduced. For the last three months, residents have consistently reported pain or no pain,” said Jozi.

“There has been a notable reduction in stress and distress levels within residents. Residents are taking part in more activities and those with mobility issues are now going on trips they couldn’t before. Residents who required specialist support seating due to discomfort are now comfortably sitting in normal lounge chairs and participating more in the community.”

The benefits of the technology for quality of care have been highlighted in the case of one Glencairn resident who was formerly active and enjoyed walking.

Staff at the home noticed she had become withdrawn and less engaged and used the PainChek app to identify that she was in pain, despite her not being on any pain medication at the time.

Following a review with the resident and her GP, it was confirmed that she had been experiencing discomfort in her shoulder, although she had not considered it significant enough to mention.

With the introduction of appropriate analgesia, her pain was effectively managed and within a short period, the resident became more active and enthusiastic, resuming her daily outdoor walks, participating in activities, and even enjoying a short holiday with her family. Ongoing use of PainChek has consistently indicated that the resident is now pain-free.

Acknowledging that social care providers may be wary of using AI technology, Jozi said: “It’s all about empowering our residents, that’s what we’re very passionate about here.

“I think with the introduction of a tool like this, there is always a fear that it might replace an aspect of care, which absolutely is not the case. If anything, it enhances resident care but also empowers your people to remain fully involved in their care.”

At Glencairn, staff have found that the AI tool helps residents to be more closely involved in their pain management and ensures they receive the correct medication, where appropriate.

“Residents are empowered to be involved in their own pain management, able to communicate their pain and participate in assessments before medication is administered,” added Jozi. “This approach ensures they remain fully involved in their care process where possible.”

Jozi said data gathered by the app also means that accurate health information can be passed to a resident’s GP, enabling better decisions on medication, such as discontinuing unnecessary drugs or trying new approaches. “This helps build stronger, trusted bonds with GP practices,” she said.

An unexpected outcome from the trial has been a positive impact on staff.

“Morale has increased as the system supports them through what can be emotionally difficult experiences in caring for residents,” added Jozi. “Staff now have more time to participate in activities with residents beyond just clinical care.”

A spokesperson for Renaissance Care said the rollout of the app had proven “highly effective in generating pain scores, offering solid data that enables us to tailor pain interventions according to individual pain levels. Its capacity to identify pain has resulted in substantial enhancements in our care environment, bolstering resident wellbeing and improving our overall care strategies.”

Manifesto 2025 Session 3: Fair Pay, Fair Work, Fair Care

Scottish Care Members’ Manifesto 2026 – A Call to Action

Session 3: Fair Pay, Fair Work, Fair Care

Wednesday 1 October 2025, 1:00 pm

This third session in our seven-part series continues the momentum of the Scottish Care Members Manifesto: The True Cost of Care – A Call to Action.

We’ll focus on co-designing two key asks that ensure Scotland’s social care workforce is:

  • Valued
  • Empowered
  • Supported in delivering high-quality care

This session is an opportunity to shape the future of care by advocating for fairness, recognition, and investment in the people who make care possible.

Open to all Scottish Care members, please register via the Members Area of this website.

Digi Bites Sessions for Members

Digi Bites is a series of online lunchtime learning sessions for Scottish Care members, part of our Year of Active Membership.

Safe Socials – social media good practice, hints & tips

Tuesday 30th September, 12.30 – 1.30pm
With Ross McCulloch, Third Sector Lab

AI for Care Providers – using AI in practice, hints & tips

Wednesday 12th November, 12.30 – 1.30pm
With Dave Mance, Frank Care Marketing

Getting Climate Conscious – green & ethical tech in practice, hints & tips (tbc)

Doing More with Data – what’s possible, hints & tips (tbc)

Each 60-minute session will focus on an aspect of digital delivery. Led by expert facilitators and followed by the option of one-to-one support.

Whether you’re well-established, partway through a journey, or only just getting started, these sessions are designed to:

  • Share safe and ethical practice.
  • Provide practical hints and tips that can be applied straight away.
  • Explore opportunities for the future of care delivery.

Details in the Members Area.

Manifesto 2025 Session 2: Work Together, Not In Silos (23 Sept)

Scottish Care Members’ Manifesto 2026 – A Call to Action

Session 2: Work Together, Not in Silos

Tuesday 23 September 2025, 1:00pm | Online

This session continues our powerful seven-part series spotlighting the Scottish Care Members Manifesto: The True Cost of Care – A Call to Action.

Together, we aim to build collective momentum toward placing social care at the heart of the 2026 Scottish parliamentary elections.

In this second session, we’ll engage in dynamic and collaborative dialogue to co-design two key asks from the social care sector. We will focus on:

  • Reforming commissioning practices
  • Building trust through shared outcomes and accountability

This is a space for shared learning, open discussion, and sector-wide collaboration. All Scottish Care members are welcome.

Members can register now via the Members Area.

Care Tech Unplugged – 2 October 2025

Care Tech Unplugged – Thursday 2 October, 10:00 – 16:00

The Social Hub, 15 Candleriggs, Glasgow G1 1TQ, UK

A space to step away from business-as-usual and explore the future of care and technology, with wellbeing at the centre.

Following the success of the Care Tech Assembly in June 2025, we’re bringing together a small group of people for a different kind of experience. The day is facilitated by the creativity and regenerative design expertise of the Glasgow School of Art, who bring their internationally recognised strengths in design, wellbeing, and creative practice.

How it works

  • Register your interest
  • We have just 30 places available, and we’re curating the group to make sure we bring together a balance of different perspectives, from across operational, strategic and policy roles in the sector.
  • We’ll confirm places by Wednesday 24 September.

About the day

Together, we’ll explore how different perspectives from across operational, strategic, policy roles fit together in shaping the future of care tech. Expect an approach that is welcoming, immersive, thoughtful, and energising. This is a chance to pause and re-imagine the future of care and technology in ways that feel practical and sustainable.

You’ll come away with:

  • Fresh ideas and inspiration to take back into your team or organisation
  • New connections with others interested in this approach
  • Renewed energy from Glasgow School of Art’s regenerative, wellbeing-led design approach.

You’re also welcome to register with a colleague from your organisation. We’re keen to hear voices from across teams and roles.

A delicious lunch will be provided. Please let us know any dietary requirements when you register.

If you have any barriers to attending, we can cover travel expenses and other reasonable costs. The venue also has quiet spaces if you need to step out for a call on the day. Just let us know how we can support you.

Register here