The annual Scottish Care at Home and Housing Support Conference & Exhibition is scheduled to take place on Friday 16 May 2025 at Radisson Blu in Glasgow. Organised and hosted by Scottish Care, the leading representative body for the independent social care sector, supporting providers, their workforce and individuals accessing care and support. This conference is the only national event to focus specifically on homecare in Scotland.
This year’s theme, ‘Compassion in Crisis’, will bring together over 200 key stakeholders from across the sector, including independent care providers, frontline staff, academics, local authorities, NHS, and Scottish Government representatives. The event aims to tackle the most pressing challenges facing care at home and housing support services and to spark critical conversations that shape the future of social care in Scotland.
The agenda features a Fireside Chat with representatives from some of Scotland’s major political parties, and a diverse range of speaker sessions and workshops on topics such as:
- Dementia-inclusive resources
- The ‘home to assess’ model
- Technology and AI in care
- Medication safety and collaboration
- Workforce skills and qualifications
The conference will offer vital sector insight into the impact of increased Employee National Insurance Contributions and the UK Government’s proposal to scrap the social care visa route, alongside other key issues.
As part of the event, Scottish Care will launch an updated version of its Myth-Busting Report, which aims to dispel common misconceptions about the independent care sector. The report provides evidence-based insights into current sector pressures and highlights the reality facing providers and staff delivering vital services in communities across the country.
Key findings from the report include:
- The independent sector delivers the majority of adult social care in Scotland, providing 87% of care homes, 86.9% of homecare services, 81.6% of all adult care services, and employing 76.7% of the sector workforce.
- The economic contribution of the adult social care sector is substantial, generating £5.2 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) – equivalent to 2.9% of Scotland’s total GVA in 2023.
- The independent care home sector now provides 90% of all registered places in Scotland, yet has seen a 34% decrease in residents since 2014, amid ongoing financial pressures and reduced public funding.
- No Scottish council met the minimum fair price of £26.50/hour for home care in 2023, despite the actual cost now standing at £32.88/hour, exacerbating financial unsustainability.
- 100% of surveyed providers in 2024 reported late payments over 30 days, with average amounts owed exceeding £300,000 per provider, threatening viability and continuity of care delivery.
In response to these findings, Scottish Care calls for urgent action to address the sustainability of the independent sector, including investment to alleviate funding shortfalls, an updated cost model for care home contracts, and a transparent minimum rate for homecare packages.
Karen Hedge, Deputy CEO of Scottish Care says:
“This year’s theme, ‘Compassion in Crisis’ reflects the daily reality for many delivering and receiving care in Scotland. Despite relentless pressures, the sector continues to show extraordinary empathy, commitment, and professionalism. But compassion alone cannot sustain a system on the brink.
Our updated Myth-Busting Report lays bare the challenges and misconceptions that hinder progress. It’s time to move beyond rhetoric and act decisively to protect and support the workforce and services that people depend on every day.”
The day will conclude with a Care Awards Ceremony, hosted by Pop Idol winner Michelle McManus, recognising excellence in the independent homecare workforce. The conference, exhibition, and awards collectively form the largest national event of its kind dedicated to care at home and housing support in Scotland.
Read the Myth-Busting 2025 Report here
