This year’s Spring Bulletin has now been published and is available to view online. It’s packed with insightful updates, valuable information, and stories from the social care sector. Your feedback and ideas are always welcomed.
Feel free to share your thoughts or suggest topics for future bulletins by reaching out to us at [email protected].
Read the 2024 Spring Bulletin here
Spring Bulletin 2024 Final Ver-compressed
We’re thrilled to announce the finalists for this year’s Care at Home and Housing Support Awards! A big thank you to everyone who submitted nominations, and congratulations to all those who made the shortlist!
Join us for the Awards Ceremony, hosted by Michelle McManus and Dr Donald Macaskill, on the evening of Friday 17 May 2024, at the Radisson Blu, Glasgow, following the Care at Home & Housing Support Conference.
Interested in booking an Awards Table? Click here for more information.
The Digitally Enabled Workforce (DEW) team at NHS Education for Scotland has an upcoming opportunity – Digital Mindset Sessions. This fully funded opportunity is open to those in board-level roles across health and care organisations in Scotland (including executives, non-executives, trustees, elected members), see information below. More information can also be found on the Leading in the Digital Age Board Development site or for any other questions, or specific requests please contact the team direct by email at [email protected].
Spaces are available from April to June.
DigitalMindsetSessionInfo
Survey Reveals Urgent Concerns Over International Recruitment in Social Care
Scottish Care, the representative body for independent social care providers in Scotland, has conducted a survey revealing significant challenges faced by care providers in recruiting and retaining internationally recruited staff. The findings shed light on the potential risks to social care service delivery across Scotland due to recent decisions by the Home Office regarding international recruitment pathways.
The survey was initiated in response to Scottish Care member reports regarding increasing difficulties in international recruitment. The Home Office’s decision to request additional documentation and communication issues exacerbated concerns among care providers, particularly around Certificates of Sponsorship.
Data gathered from the survey revealed several key insights:
These findings highlight a serious concern over the sustainability of social care delivery in Scotland. The potential loss of internationally recruited staff could intensify the existing vacancy challenges and impact overall service provision.
Scottish Care urges policymakers to address the urgent issues facing social care recruitment. Immediate action is needed to protect social care service provision and support the sector’s workforce.
Scottish Care has prepared a Briefing Paper for the International Recruitment Survey Findings, which is available here.
In a heartwarming victory for tradition and taste, David Macdonald, head chef at Crossreach Oversteps Care Home in Dornoch, clinched first place in the best traditional shortbread category at the recent Highland Shortbread Showdown. What makes this win even sweeter is that David achieved this feat using his grandmother’s cherished 80-year-old heirloom recipe.
Oversteps Care Home, represented by David, was the only care home in the competition, making the win all the more remarkable.
The Manager from Oversteps said “we’re all really pleased with how well David did in the competition. Oversteps was the only care home represented there, so it was a real boost”
Congratulations to David and the entire team at Oversteps Care Home for this well-deserved recognition!
Find out more about the Highland Showdown here: Businesses Triumph in Highland Shortbread Showdown | The Highland Times
Oakbridge Bridge Care Home in Glasgow recently had a truly memorable experience—they enjoyed tea with a special guest, a horse, courtesy of the remarkable charity, RDA Glasgow Group. It was an immersive afternoon that left a lasting impression on everyone present.
The gentlemen at Oakbridge fully embraced this unique sensory experience with Jake, the gentle and intuitive horse. They expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated volunteers for their kindness and hospitality. The participants left feeling elated, calm, and truly in awe of big Jake.
The National Care Forum (NCF) in collaboration with the Global Ageing Network, Scottish Care and UKRI has published a report resulting from the Social Care International Workforce Summit held as part of the Global Ageing Conference last year.
The report’s publication also marks NCF CEO Professor Vic Rayner as the new board chair of the Global Ageing Network, a role she will hold for two years.
Professor Vic Rayner said: “Co-hosting the Global Ageing Conference with colleagues from the Global Ageing Network and Scottish Care was a huge honour and one which I am thrilled to continue as I take over the leadership of the Global Ageing Network board. I relish the opportunity to nurture the international connections that have been made and set a course, together with members and partners, to tackle the issues affecting the care of older people around the world and ensure their rights are represented.
“The work we will be doing together reflects the enormous change taking place throughout the world that has a bearing on the daily delivery of care and support to older people, particularly the impacts of mass migration on the global care workforce. Our discussions at the conference included insights from 14 different countries and collectively reached a series of conclusions and recommendations. It is now time for us to communicate these outcomes via this report and demand action and funding from our governments and policymakers to help ensure each territory is empowered to develop a robust care workforce, attract new talent while rewarding the dedication of current care workers, and continue to transform the lives of older people with excellent, professional care.”
CEO of the Global Ageing Network, Katie Smith-Sloan commented: “Without an adequate, trained and well supported workforce, there is no care. Throughout the world, we are facing enormous challenges in attracting, retaining, training, compensating, and elevating the profession of care workers. A global challenge needs global solutions. To this end, the Global Ageing Network and our members, as a global community dedicated to the well-being of older adults, are committed to raising awareness and driving the public and private sector towards urgently addressing the workforce crisis. There is a way forward if we work together.”
The report is available to download here.
In a groundbreaking achievement for Scotland’s social care sector, Visiting Angelz, a Renfrewshire-based nurse-led care at home service, has secured Living Hours accreditation, marking a significant milestone in fair employment practices. They are the first social care employer in Scotland to achieve this accolade.
Established in 2012, Visiting Angelz specialises in delivering personal and domestic care services throughout Renfrewshire. By meeting the rigourous criteria for Living Hours accreditation, including the payment of the real Living Wage, providing advanced notice for shifts, and ensuring minimum weekly working hours, the company has demonstrated its commitment to fair compensation and secure working conditions for its employees.
Angela Magee, the Service Manager and Owner of Visiting Angelz, said:
“In these times of hardship in our communities, it is important to not only pay people fairly, but to provide them with stability and security at work and the opportunities that come with that through secure working terms. “Hard-working, dedicated people should have the opportunities to realise their full potential in all areas of their lives.”
Rachel Morrison-McCormick, Projects Coordinator at Living Wage Scotland, commended Visiting Angelz for their dedication to fair work practices, saying:
“We are delighted to welcome Visiting Angelz as our first social care Living Hours employer.
“There are over 3400 Living Wage employers in Scotland and it is great to see Visiting Angelz take further steps to protect their workers from low pay and insecure work.
“The values that led them to commit to the real Living Wage are the same values that have led to their expanded commitment to fair work at a time when workers need it most.”
According to research by the Living Wage Foundation, over 9 per cent of Scottish workers are in insecure work and earn below the Living Wage, accounting for approximately 250,000 workers.
As Scotland grapples with a significant portion of workers facing insecure employment and earning below the Living Wage, initiatives like Living Hours are crucial in promoting stable incomes and predictable working arrangements. Through Living Hours accreditation, Visiting Angelz exemplifies the values of fair employment and strives to provide its workforce with the means to lead fulfilling lives.
This International Women’s Day, we shine a spotlight on the remarkable achievements of past female winners at the Care Home Awards 2023 and Care at Home Awards 2023, celebrating their invaluable contributions to the social care sector.
With over 80% of the Scottish social service sector workforce being women, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the women tirelessly serving in various roles, enriching lives and fostering compassionate care across Scotland.
#IWD2024 #InternationalWomensDay #shinealight
Care Service Coordination/Administration Award – Karrie Henderson, myCare Grampian
Care Learning Award – Sharon Barton, Plus Homecare
Leadership Award – Liz Cassidy, Altogether Care Services
Positive Impact Award – Rachel Shepherd, Call-In Homecare
Strategic Contribution Award – Anna Houston, HRM Homecare
Ancillary & Support Award – Maureen Cameron, Manor Grange Care Home
Meaningful Activity Award – Benore Care Home Wellbeing Team
Emerging Talent Award – Brogan McKay, Manor Grange Care Home
Outstanding Achievement Award – Sharon Findlay, Benore Care Home
Leadership Award – Kirsty Cartin, Rashielee Care Home
Nurse of the Year Award – Vany Thomas, Benore Care Home
Care Worker of the Year Award – Tracy Libby, Four Hills
Care at Home & Housing Support Awards 2024
Entry deadline extended – 18 March
Great news! We’ve extended the deadline for nominations to our annual Care at Home & Housing Support Awards until 5:00 pm on Monday 18 March 2024.
Don’t miss out on the chance to nominate deserving individuals and organisations in the homecare sector across Scotland. With 10 award categories, there’s ample opportunity to celebrate exceptional skills and commitment.
Before submitting your nomination, please review the guidelines carefully to ensure compliance with judging criteria.
Judging will take place in March/April, with the Awards Ceremony set for Friday 17 May, at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow, following the 2024 Care at Home & Housing Support Conference.
Don’t miss out on early bird tickets for the conference and book your place before the end of March here!
Join us in recognising the outstanding contributions of our dedicated homecare professionals and enter the awards now!
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