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

We are excited to share our Annual Report for 2024-2025, which will be presented at today’s AGM in Glasgow.

This Annual Report highlights the work and dedication of the Scottish Care team during what has been a challenging year for the social care sector. It is divided into two sections:

• Activities and Achievements: This section provides an overview of our organisation’s aims, strategic priorities, and the key accomplishments across our various workstreams over the past year.
• Finance and Governance: This section outlines our financial performance and governance approach, including the role of our Executive Committee and other representative groups.

You can access both sections of the Annual Report using the buttons below.

Annual Report 2024/25 – Activities & Achievement

Annual Report 2024/25 – Finance & Governance

Summer 2025 Bulletin Now Live! 

Our latest edition is now available online – full of fresh insights, useful updates, and inspiring stories from across the social care sector

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your feedback or suggest topics for future editions by emailing us at [email protected].

Read the bulletin here 

Scottish Care publishes Immigration Survey Findings

A recent survey by Scottish Care has revealed the critical reliance of Scotland’s social care sector on international workers and paints a stark picture of the potential consequences if their recruitment were to cease.

Conducted between May 15th and 19th, 2025, the survey gathered insights from 225 social care organisations across Scotland, representing services including care homes, care at home, and housing support. These organisations collectively provide support to over 46,000 individuals and employ more than 43,000 staff.

The findings demonstrate the significant role international workers play:

• Participating organisations employ at least 11,294 international staff.
• International staff making up an average of 32% of responding organisations’  workforce.
• 7% of organisations report that international workers represent over 90% of their staff, and a further 14% rely on them for over 75% of their workforce.
• A significant proportion – nearly 7,000 international workers in these organisations – are currently working on a visa.

When asked about the anticipated impact of ending international recruitment, the responses were overwhelmingly negative. Providers repeatedly highlighted the severe challenge of recruiting local staff, with many stating they struggle to find Scottish or British nationals willing to work in care. This makes international recruitment essential for filling vacancies.

The predicted consequences are wide-ranging and severe:

• Staffing Crisis: Without international workers, providers expect significant shortages, making it difficult, if not impossible, to maintain safe staffing levels.
• Financial Strain: A heavy reliance on expensive agency staff to cover shifts is predicted, threatening the financial viability of services and potentially leading to closures. Some providers warned their service could close “within a matter of months”.
• Impact on Care Quality: Concerns were raised that staffing pressures would compromise the quality and continuity of care provided to vulnerable individuals. International workers were praised for their reliability, work ethic, and respectful approach.
• Rural Challenges: Services in remote areas are expected to face particular difficulties in finding alternative staff.
• Systemic Crisis: The domestic workforce is widely seen as insufficient to meet current demand, meaning restricting international recruitment would push the entire sector deeper into crisis.

Overall, the survey findings present a clear message: the Scottish social care sector is significantly dependent on international workers. Ending their recruitment would not only create immediate staffing and financial challenges but could also fundamentally threaten the ability to provide essential care services across Scotland.

A full survey results briefing is available here.