Scottish Care, the representative body for Scotland’s independent social care services, is publishing a new report which shares their vision for social care data. This report will be launched on the final day (Thursday 17 June) of their virtual Care at Home and Housing Support Conference.

The conference, ‘Homecare Festival’ – is a three-day event that brings people together from across the care at home and housing support sector to share their experiences and plan for the future of home care.

The report titled ‘Seeing the diamond in social care data’ brings together findings from a series of data forums hosted by Scottish Care and involved colleagues from across the social care sector, industry, academia and government.

Scotland is data-rich but intelligence poor, whilst fragmented data collection, standards and access in social care have made data hard to navigate. The report highlights the importance of a human rights-based perspective, enabling people to have control over their data and how it is shared to initiate care and support on their own terms. Scottish Care seeks a vision where data is person-led; is based on the needs, wishes and aspirations of people for their care and support, informs the design of services and planning and the resulting indicators of performance and success.

Karen Hedge, National Director of Scottish Care commented:

“For too long, the fragments of social care data have been drivers acting on behalf of the social care system rather than on behalf of those who access social care and support. Implementing the principles and vision contained within this report, would completely turn that on its head and put the individual in control. In addressing the fragmentation, it also allows for better use of resources by enabling better coordination for planning and delivery.”

 Today, Monday May 17, 2021, we are delighted to launch ‘Coileanadh’ – the output of phase two of our ‘Collective Care Future’ programme. We are delighted to launch the findings of this programme, articulated in a future change landscape created in collaboration with Andthen, a design strategy studio. The visual landscape embodies the contributions of a diverse range of expertise and experiences from providers, staff, people supported, families and wider partners in care and support in Scotland. The findings include eight concepts and three priority areas of focus relating to the overarching philosophy and culture, the policy and partnership enablers, and the way in which change can be enacted in social care practice.  

We invite you to explore the future change landscape, concepts and the actions for change identified and join us for the webinar launch on Thursday May 20th 2pm where we will share the findings and outline how we plan to continue the conversation around a National Care Framework.   

‘Building our collective care future’ is a collaborative programme which commenced in June 2020 with the intention of capturing the experiences of social care during COVID-19 to build on this learning towards developing a positive vision for the future social care. 

The insights and expertise shared from our engagements have been translated to inform actions that can allow decision-making and change to materialise, which will be invaluable to key stakeholders at local and national levels. The 39 actions roadmap the ways in which practice-based change can be achieved, implemented and sustained, resulting in a more equal, rights-based and wellbeing focussed society.  

We believe the actions identified are both complementary and distinct to the recommendations of the Independent Review of Adult Social Care. ‘Coileanadh’ explores the synergies and areas of opportunity that can help to overcome the implementation gap and articulate the key requirements of a National Care Service, what we refer to as a National Care Framework. In doing so, we aim to offer a more holistic perspective on the creation of a National Care Framework and the resulting implications for how work in this context could be taken forward. The relationship and interdependence of social care and health highlights the need for a broader view that encompasses different ways to how we approach care and support across the life course and we hope that this work is the start of a national conversation on the future of adult social care in Scotland. 

If you would like to share any feedback on the findings or ways in which you can contribute to the actions identified, please contact: [email protected] 

Sincere thanks to all our participants, Scottish Care members and colleagues who contributed their expertise and experiences across the ‘Care Futures’ programme. 

 Details to register to attend the ‘Coileanadh’ webinar: 

Thursday 20th May, 2:00PM 

Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Z-_vQlF1S86q7fyWB-HDVg 

 Webinar ID: 844 4924 6803 

Launch materials 

Full document: https://scottishcare.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Coileanadh-SocialCare-FutureLandscape.pdf 

Scottish Care is publishing our Manifesto April 07, 2021 with our key priorities for the next Government, ahead of the Scottish Parliamentary Elections on May 06, 2021.

Our Manifesto echoes the call in the Feeley report for a Social Care Covenant – an agreement of and for social care that places the dignity of individuals at the heart of decision-making and at the forefront of a more inclusive social care future that recognises its distinctive role in supporting the wellbeing of individuals to live an independent and healthy life of their choice.

Given the particular hardships faced by the care home and home care sectors in the past year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have considered the areas in which those accessing care, the workforce and providers would benefit most. We must consider the support that people need as we recover from the effects of the pandemic and how we can deliver that given the new challenges as Scotland exits lockdown.

We have outlined eight areas of focus where we present a future change landscape for social care in Scotland. The Manifesto shares the key areas of focus with accompanying actions towards realising a positive future for the independent social care sector in Scotland.

The Manifesto was developed with input from our members, partners and people who use social care supports. We thank them for their involvement in this work.

Karen Hedge, National Director says:

“We are at a standpoint for social care. The pandemic has highlighted the potential of the sector; the agility of our providers and the dedication and skill of our workforce. This, coupled with the Review of Adult Social Care, has changed parameters and expectations of the sector making the forthcoming election a critical opportunity to address the 8 areas of focus outlined by Scottish Care in their Social Care Covenant, so that we can get this right for the people of Scotland.”