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Congratulations to Ranald Mair on receiving OBE

Ranald Mair, former CEO of Scottish Care, has this week received an OBE for his services to Social Work and Social Care.

Ranald stepped down in March 2016 after almost a decade in post and after a career in social work and social care spanning more than 40 years.

Upon finding out about being awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours List, Ranald said:

“This is a marvelous surprise and a great honour. It is not just personal recognition, but recognition of all those who work in the care sector and demonstrates the importance attached to the work being carried out by those who care for others.

“The sector has progressed enormously in recent years and standards have improved dramatically, but the future presents massive challenges as Scotland faces growing demand and the need to provide the highest quality care for an increasingly ageing population.”

Scottish Care CEO Dr Donald Macaskill said: 

“This is a well deserved honour for Ranald who has dedicated his working life to the care of others. He has made an outstanding contribution to the wider sector and to the quality of care for older people in Scotland. In doing so, he has raised the profile of social care and helped drive key agendas forward.”

Scottish Care staff and members wish to extended our warm congratulations and thanks to Ranald.

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News release: Your Choice? Your Right? In Control on Self-Directed Support in Scotland

In Control Scotland, supported by Scottish Care and Alzheimer Scotland, has published a call to action for everyone involved in the delivery of Self-Directed Support (SDS).

Self-Directed Support: Your Choice, Your Right highlights the unacceptable gulf that exists between the human rights-based approach of Scotland’s landmark SDS legislation of 2013 and the experience of individuals across Scotland who access social care. Irrespective of the potential for radical change this legislation offers, the reality is deeply flawed; this vital new approach to social care delivery is being systematically undermined by poor understanding (by both public and professionals), inconsistent delivery, significant difficulty of access and no discernible shift in power towards the individual.  Self-Directed Support: Your Choice, Your Right has been authored by John Dalrymple (Chief Executive, In Control Scotland), Donald Macaskill (Chief Executive, Scottish Care) and Henry Simmons (Chief Executive, Alzheimer Scotland).

Self-Directed Support: Your Choice, Your Right also outlines the importance of recognising the rights of Scotland’s increasingly marginalised social care workforce in supporting the choice, power and control that underpins the individual’s right to SDS.

John Dalrymple said:

“In 2013, Scotland adopted ground-breaking self-directed support legislation, providing those who rely on the social care system with a major opportunity to take charge of our lives and to be involved to the maximum extent in all the decisions that affect us.  Many people across the country have taken advantage of the flexibility and freedom afforded by this new approach and have radically improved the quality of their everyday lives.   And yet, the full potential of self-directed support is far from being realised.   This new paper seeks to identify the barriers preventing the best outcomes being achieved - for individuals and for society as a whole – and discusses some of the human rights and workforce strategies that might assist the more effective implementation of self-directed support.”

Donald Macaskill said:

“For the SDS legislation to make the change it is designed to, we need robust implementation that respects the human rights of all who use and work in care and support.  Our report shows we are a long way from achieving that ambition.”

Henry Simmons said:

“This paper seeks to put SDS where it should be; right at the heart of a transformation in our health and social care system. Using a human rights-based approach alongside the Fair Work Framework ensures that we can deliver both truly person-centred support and much needed fair work for the social care workforce.”

Self-Directed Support: Your Choice, Your Right makes seven key recommendations:

  1. That the Scottish Government ensures that all partners develop a human rights-based approach to the implementation of SDS and a human rights-based monitoring of the implementation of SDS and that the Scottish Human Rights Commission be resourced and supported to undertake an assessment of this human-rights based implementation.
  2. The accountability of local and national government for implementing SDS must be enforced.
  3. Local authorities must move away from the time-allocation method of care assessment and delivery, which will always be at odds with any effective or meaningful implementation of SDS.
  4. The use of electronic and other contract monitoring systems need to be examined in relation not only to fiscal savings but the negative impacts these have upon the well-being of the workforce and the dignity and rights of those receiving support. A rights-based approach to SDS has to be based on reciprocal trust and mutual respect rather than suspicion and distrust.
  5. Access to information, and to all four SDS options, must be made available consistently across local authorities and in an independent, non-discriminatory way.
  6. The Fair Work Framework should be used as a method of ensuring that individual workers’ rights are reciprocated and protected. This framework should be implemented and used by commissioning bodies, organisations and individual employers.
  7. Greater focus needs to be placed on developing models of care and support that give autonomy, control, choice and decision-making to frontline workers and those whom they support rather than commissioners and contract managers.

 

Self-Directed Support: Your Choice, Your Right has been published by the Centre for Welfare Reform and includes a foreword from Simon Duffy, Director of the Centre for Welfare Reform.

 

-ENDS-

For further information, please contact: June Dunlop, In Control Scotland, T: 0141 440 5250    E: [email protected]

Pictured below: (L-R) Henry Simmons, Donald Macaskill, John Dalrymple, Simon Duffy

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Scottish Care holding a Self-directed Support Day

Scottish Care is delighted to invite you to our Self Directed Support Day at which we will be launching two new publications.

Date: 3rd August 2017.

Venue: Central Glasgow (to be confirmed)

The day comprises two workshops. You can attend just the one or come to both. Both are free of charge. If you attend both we will provide a light lunch. However although the events are free for operational reasons we will charge those who have booked and do not attend a fee of £20.00. If after you have booked you are unable to attend please inform us as soon as possible. Places are limited.

Morning workshop:          

Getting It Right for Older People: Self-directed Support and Human Rights

10.00-12.30

Over the last fifteen months Scottish Care’s has been running a project called Getting It Right for/with Older People. The project has been delivered in North Ayrshire and in the Highlands. At this morning workshop we will launch the Report of these projects which will explore how it is possible to embed a human-rights based approach to the support and care of older people through self-directed support. The author of the Report and project lead, Carlyn Miller will share her experiences, the insights of the report and together participants will be able to reflect on what works and what needs to change in order for older people to get the most out of self-directed support.

Afternoon workshop:          

Meaningful Days: Self-directed Support for older people during the day

1.00-3.30

Scottish Care delivered a project in Falkirk and most recently East Renfrewshire to explore the potential of self-directed support for older people and day opportunities. Following these short projects we commissioned Louise Close who has extensive experience with self-directed support across the United Kingdom to prepare a report on this subject. Louise’s paper launches the Scottish Care Care Cameos which is a series of thought-provoking papers which we will be publishing over the next few months.

This workshop will explore what Louise has discovered not only in Scotland but across the United Kingdom and her call for particular action to address this area of older people’s support. Louise will lead the session which will be participative and interactive in nature.

 

If you are interested in attending either of these free workshops or both then please email as soon as possible to [email protected]

 

 

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Scottish Care warmly welcomes the publication of the Third National Dementia Strategy.

The Third National Dementia Strategy has been published by the Scottish Government.

It sets out commitments and priorities for dementia care and support for the next three-year period.

Building on the work of the previous strategies the particular focus of this Third Strategy is on advanced dementia and the provision of high quality palliative and end of life care.

Scottish Care has been pleased to have been one of the key partners involved in the consultation upon and development of the Strategy. We consider it essential that individuals living with dementia are enabled to live as high a quality of life as they can.

We acknowledge and welcome the 21 commitments which are given in the Strategy. They are ambitious and we look forward to working together with partners to ensure that they can be achieved.

The recent work undertaken by Scottish Care on the role and contribution of frontline care staff in palliative and end of life situations, the ‘Trees that bend in the wind’ publication, highlights how important it is that we resource and adequately train the staff who support the women and men who live with dementia at the end of their life. We are therefore particularly pleased to see that Commitment 6 : We will support improvements in palliative and end of life care for people with dementia, lies at the heart of this Strategy.

In particular, as the representative body of the majority of care home providers in Scotland, we will work to ensure the success of Commitment 8:

We will continue the National Group on Dementia in Care Homes, to help ensure that the on-going modernisation of the care home sector takes account of the needs of this major client group; and to consider and help respond to the findings of the Care Inspectorate’s themed inspections

Care home, care at home and housing support providers are all committed to ensuring that we are not only dementia friendly but dementia confident, delivering supports and services which enable the women and men who live with dementia achieve the fullest possible life to the very end.

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Job: Support Officer (Dumfries & Galloway)

Scottish Care (Dumfries and Galloway) is recruiting a new team member to work with the new Regional Integration Manager for the Independent Sector.

Details on the post:

  • A Support Officer to support the new team as well as R&D projects already underway across the region - part time (4 hours per day e.g. 9am – 1pm)
    This post is hosted by Scottish Care, a membership organisation representing the largest group of independent health and social care providers across Scotland.
    Part time Independent Sector Support Officer (£23,400 pro rata, initially 6 months contract)
    This is an exciting and challenging role which will be essential to the overall success of the team in D&G. The post holder will support the Scottish Care D&G team as well as the R&D projects across the region. They will develop close working relationships with the Regional Integration Manager, 8 Locality Representatives, the East and West Liaison Officers as well as Independent Sector providers, partner organisations, family carers and those in receipt of services.
    The post holder will be responsible for organising and preparing for team meetings and training workshops as well as updating the content on our team’s website. They will support the delivery of the team’s business plan and in particular support our role to liaise with Independent Sector providers, to collect information from and disseminate information to provider network.
    The post holder will be highly motivated and be able to use initiative, possess excellent communication, interpersonal and organisational skills. They will need excellent ICT skills and they will require a detailed working knowledge of Microsoft Office. A working knowledge of Survey Monkey, Yammer and Mail Chimp would also be an advantage as well as social media. Qualifications/experience in a senior administration and/or project management role would be an advantage. Experience of working in the health and social care sector is also desirable.
  • The post holder will report to the Regional Integration Manager for the Independent Sector in D&G. The post is 20 hours per week (4 hours per day e.g. 9am – 1pm) and will be paid at £23,400 pro rata. Travel expenses will be paid at 45p per mile.
  • The post will home-based and hosted through Scottish Care. Consultancy, employment, secondment and job share opportunities considered.

 

 

To express an interest please forward your CV, tailored to the attached Job Description, and your completed Personal Profile template to [email protected] or telephone Dr. Sue Newberry on 08456 434 022 for further information.

Please put “Support Officer role” in the Subject line of your email.

The closing date is 5pm on Wednesday 28th June 2017.
Shortlisting will take place on 29th June and interviews will take place on 4th July 2017.

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Job: Finance & Project Administrator

SCOTTISH CARE IS LOOKING FOR A FINANCE AND PROJECT ADMINISTRATOR

An exciting opportunity has arisen within Scottish Care for a Finance and Project Administrator to work as part of our national team. This is a part time post (21 hours per week), based in Scottish Care’s offices in Ayr. There will be a requirement for occasional attendance at meetings & events

Scottish Care is the representative body for the largest group of health and social care sector independent providers across Scotland delivering residential care, day care, care at home and housing support.

Applicants must have experience in accounts and preferably have knowledge of SAGE.

The post holder must have experience in finance and office administration.  They must have the ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines, versatility & flexibility along with excellent interpersonal skills at all levels is essential. The post holder must also have excellent IT skills with knowledge of Microsoft Office packages.

The post holder will possess sound organisational & administrative abilities and the ability to support staff in the office and across Scotland in delivering services to members.

This is an exciting post for someone who will have a strong commitment to the work of the organisation and the ability to work in a culture that is innovative. There is a prospect of career progression within the organisation for a successful candidate.

For further information please email [email protected] who will forward a Job Description & Person Specification and application form.

To apply, forward a completed application to [email protected]

Interviews will be held on Tuesday 18thJuly 2017.

Closing Date: 12 noon on Friday 7thJuly 2017.

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Scottish Care Event: Business Excellence in Care

Scottish Care is pleased to announce that we are holding a ‘Business Excellence in Care’ event.

This is an event which is open for Scottish Care members and will be held in conjunction with the Clydesdale Bank and Brodies.

This interactive seminar will explore financial, legal and business issues which affect the delivery of care for care homes, care at home and housing support providers across Scotland.

The event is free to book. However, in order to ensure attendance and to keep costs down if you sign up to attend and fail to attend the organisers reserve the right to charge you a £25 fee.

We are grateful that Brodies have agreed to host this event in Glasgow on August 8th from 9.30am-12.30pm.

Please contact [email protected] to reserve a place.

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News Release: Care Home Open Day 2017

 

For the fifth year in a row, care homes across Scotland and the rest of the UK are encouraging their local communities to join them for a day of celebration.

Care Home Open Day takes place on Friday 16th June this year and is growing in popularity as more and more care homes realise the importance of developing lasting relationships with their local communities and dispelling myths by showcasing what good care homes look like.

The day reinforces the fantastic work being done in care homes across the UK and helps to highlight that care homes are doing great things 365 days a year!

Last year over 150 care homes took part across Scotland and this year is set to be even bigger. A significant number of politicians have already committed to visiting care homes in their constituencies.

Care Home Open Day is taking place during the first ever Care Home Week in Scotland, co-ordinated by Scottish Care. From 12-19 June 2017, Care Home Week is an opportunity to celebrate all aspects of life and work in a care home.

Donald Macaskill, CEO of Scottish Care who represent independent sector care homes, said:

“Creating more links between care homes and their local communities is so important. That's why Scottish Care, the Care Inspectorate and the other representative bodies from across the UK are supporting Care Home Open Day again this year. I'm sure it will be a great day."
“It is a great opportunity to celebrate the fantastic care carried out in local communities and the contribution that is made to the lives of so many people and their families, as well as to redress the negative perceptions people often have of care homes.
“We have encouraged all care homes to take part to showcase what they do day-in and day-out, and invite their local communities to visit. After all, there are more people living in care homes than in hospital any night of the year and therefore these services and their residents should be considered as central parts of their local communities.”

Karen Reid, Chief Executive of the Care Inspectorate said:

“Care homes play a vital role supporting people across Scotland and we are delighted to support Care Home Open Day. I hope it is a great success.
"We expect residents in care homes to be supported to be involved and active in their local community, where that is what they want, so this is a really important day.
“Everyone in Scotland has the right to safe, compassionate, high-quality care which meets their needs and respects their rights. The new health and social care standards published just a few days ago really help to reinforce this.
“Our regular inspections show that most care homes in Scotland perform well, but we do work closely to support improvement where that is needed. We recognise and share excellent practice across the sector whenever we find it. We will continue to champion good practice, working with residents, carers, staff and other people involved in care.”

 

To find out which care homes are taking part in your area, simply visit www.carehomeopenday.org.uk and search via postcode, town or care home name.

For more details on Care Home Week 17 please visit: www.scottishcare.org/care-home-week/

 

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‘Come On In’: resource for families

On Ordinary Living day of Care Home Week 17, it seems appropriate to highlight the 'Come On In' resource from the Care Inspectorate. 

The guide was launched to help family and friends of people living in care homes to make the most of the time spent together. This resource was developed by the staff, residents and their families of Campbell Snowden care home in Bridge of Weir with support from the Care Inspectorate and Scottish Care.

The guide is short and easy to use with practical tips, from preparing for your visit and giving your visit focus to looking after yourself and very importantly what residents themselves say makes a good visit.

Heather Edwards the Care Inspectorate’s dementia consultant said:

“We know that maintaining close relationships with loved ones is really important for the wellbeing of people living in care, particularly those living with dementia.

“But we also know from our experience, and the experience of the care providers we work with, that it can sometimes be difficult for people to adjust to visiting their loved ones in a new setting, particularly if that person’s behaviour or needs are changing.

“This guide contains some practical, simple advice about how to prepare for and enjoy visiting loved ones.

“For example sometimes people living with dementia don’t talk a great deal. It can be important not to worry about this , and understand that it’s ok to sit quietly together.

“Similarly, instead of asking questions like ‘what did you have for lunch’ which can cause distress if someone can’t remember, you could ask staff what was for lunch, or take a look at the menu, so you can then have a chat about lunch.”

 

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Voices from the Nursing Front Line: Update

Wednesday 14 June is Workforce day, as part of #carehomeweek17, and we are taking this opportunity to highlight the important role of nurses working in care homes.

In November 2016, Scottish Care launched a new report entitled ‘Voices from the Nursing Front Line’.  This report sought to explore the experiences, views and ideas of nurses working in social care through the voices of nurses themselves.  It detailed many of the challenges of nursing within care homes in Scotland, but also the many positive reasons for choosing and remaining in this career path.

The report below provides an update on progress against Scottish Care’s nursing recommendations, outlined in the ‘Voices from the Nursing Front Line’ report.