‘Putting your head above the parapet’ and ‘silo busting’ are two of the categories in the new Scottish Social Services Awards, launched on Monday 16 January 2017.
Highlighting the commitment of the people in this sector, the awards acknowledge innovation, joined up thinking and a willingness to speak up for vulnerable people. Other categories recognise those with the ‘courage to take a risk’ and the role of the ‘unsung hero’, who has made a positive difference to people’s lives.
Open to individuals, teams and organisations, the awards showcase the innovation and excellent practice taking place at the front line of Scottish social services.
The Scottish social services sector is a diverse workforce totalling almost 200,000 people across local authorities, the third and independent sectors. Many people will come into contact with social services at some point in their lives. When they do they will find a dedicated and skilled workforce that makes difficult decisions every day to improve the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in our society. These awards are about the people and teams who have done just that – made a positive difference for individuals, for communities and for colleagues.
In welcoming the launch of the new Awards Mark McDonald, Minister for Childcare and Early Years said:
“The life changing and challenging work undertaken by the people who work across our social services cannot, and should not, be underestimated. This valuable work is crucial to creating a more equal and socially just Scotland. The people in this sector should be justifiably proud of the work they do.
“It is therefore right that we start 2017 by launching the Scottish Social Services Awards so that we all have an opportunity to recognise this valuable workforce. These new Awards will be a great opportunity to demonstrate the excellent work going on across the sector and how people are using all of their values, knowledge and skills to support real improvement in people’s lives.
“Every day I see examples of the what the people in this sector do to support some of our most vulnerable people – these Awards are the chance to hear their stories and recognise the difference they are making to people’s lives. There’s a lot to be proud of in our social services, and I look forward to meeting the winners at the Awards ceremony.”
For more information and to enter the awards, visit www.sssa.scot
Shortlisted award entries will be invited to attend an awards ceremony in June 2017 at Crieff Hydro Hotel. Nominations are open until 28 February 2017.
This afternoon (Thursday 12th) in the Scottish Parliament there was a Members’ Debate initiated by Colin Smyth MSP on the recent Marie Curie report ‘Enough for everyone – Challenging inequities in palliative care,’ The debate was an honest exchange and at times a very emotional and personal debate of views about palliative care across Scotland.
The research from Marie Curie focused on some of the barriers certain groups face in accessing palliative care. It highlights that 11,000 people who need palliative care in Scotland each year are not accessing it, meaning that one in four people who die in Scotland miss out on the palliative care they need. In particular it mentions that many over 85s are disproportionately less likely to access palliative care support, that for them there is often considerable under identification of their needs and in particular challenges for those living with frailty.
The research currently underway here at Scottish Care focuses on the role of social care staff in care homes and in the wider community who every day are engaged in palliative and end of life care. Their story will be told in a report to be launched in February but the debate in Parliament highlights the continued ways in which social care palliative support is often marginalised. The training and learning needs of social care staff are in need of significant attention if we are to achieve the aims of the Scottish Government’s Strategic Framework for Action on Palliative and End of Life Care.
The Cabinet Secretary’s latest response to questions raised by the Health and Sport Committee of the Scottish Parliament has been published today.
Importantly Ms Robison underlines the Scottish Government’s commitment to developing a Workforce Plan for the Health and Social Care workforce.
Scottish Care will be working closely with colleagues in Scottish Government and other wider stakeholders to ensure that the distinctive needs of the social care workforce and in particular the care home, care at home and housing support workforce are properly reflected within such a Plan.
With over 103,000 workers playing a critical part in the delivery of health and social care across Scotland it is important that the distinctive needs of the independent sector are adequately reflected and prioritised.
Alzheimer Scotland in partnership with the Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland would like to invite you to a training course on sexual health and dementia.
We are aware that there are rising incidences of Sexually Transmitted Infections and cases of HIV among older adults. In particular, people with dementia can be at risk of poor sexual health. Furthermore, people with HIV can also be at increased risk for dementia, and as the population ages, we are seeing a complexity of care needs for people with dementia and/or HIV.
However, sexual health can be a particularly difficult topic to address, especially where consent and capacity are concerned. This course aims to empower service providers, practitioners and carers to navigate some of the complex situations that may arise when considering the sexual health needs of people living with HIV and/or dementia.
Delivered in our state-of-the-art training centre in Glasgow, we will be delivering this course on two different dates:
Book course for Friday 27 January, 10am-4pm
Book course for Tuesday 14 March, 10am-4pm
The standard price for the course is £75, however for charities the cost is only £65 (including VAT). In addition, all participants will receive a discount code which they may apply to any other course in our extensive training calendar (see full calendar here and more information: http://www.tht.org.uk/our-charity/Our-work/Scotland/Learning-Centre-Scotland.)
Scottish Care (Dumfries and Galloway) is recruiting a new team member to work with the new Regional Integration Manager for the Independent Sector. The new post is
An East Liaison Officer supporting independent sector providers in the Localities of Annandale & Eskdale and Nithsdale. This is a part time post – 2.5 days per week.
The post is hosted by Scottish Care, a membership organisation representing the largest group of independent health and social care providers across Scotland.
Part time East Liaison Officer (£29,311 pro rata, initially fixed term contract to end of March 2018 )
The post holder will support independent care providers in their Locality areas and will have a key role in supporting Health and Social Care Integration in Dumfries and Galloway. The successful candidate will develop close working relationships with Scottish Care Dumfries & Galloway’s team (especially the Regional Integration Manager, Locality Representatives and the Independent Sector Support Officer) as well as key Locality stakeholders (including the Locality Manager, local partner colleagues from NHS Dumfries and Galloway, Dumfries and Galloway Council and Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway and those in receipt of services).
The post holder will be highly motivated and be able to use initiative, possess excellent communication and networking skills, demonstrate success and experience working in partnership with policy makers, providers, regulators, people supported by services and carers. Qualifications and experience at a management level in a current health or social care provider organisation operating in Dumfries & Galloway is an advantage as well as knowledge of relevant policy, practice and the needs and aspirations of the Independent sector.
The post holder will attend Scottish Care D&G Team Meetings on a monthly basis. They will liaise with local providers and contribute to Locality Meetings with Locality Representatives. They will have an active role in supporting Health and Social Care Integration and delivering the business plan for the team in D&G. They will also contribute to ongoing Research and Development activities to support independent providers in the region. They will be supported by the Independent Sector Support Officer and report to the Regional Integration Manager for the Independent Sector in D&G.
The post is 18.75 hours per week (2.5 days per week) and will be paid at £29,311 pro rata. Travel expenses will be paid at 45p per mile.
The post will be primarily home-based and hosted through Scottish Care. Consultancy, employment, secondment and job share opportunities considered. Hot desk facilities are available to support your work with partners in each Locality and you will be expected to spend at least some of your time in each Locality each week.
For further information:
To express an interest and request a job description please contact [email protected] or telephone Dawn on 08456 434 022 for further information.
If you are interested in the role you will be asked to submit a tailored CV showing how your knowledge, skills and experience are relevant for the post and a Personal Profile (a template will be provided).
The closing date is 5pm Friday 27th January 2017.
Shortlisting will take place 30th January 2017 and interviews will take place 1st & 2nd February 2017.
Artworks Scotland and Creative Scotland are pleased to host a workshop introducing their new toolkit for continual improvement in partnerships.
This FREE development day is for freelance artists, arts organisations and their partners to explore the nature of their collaboration: What is important to your project? What could be improved?
If you are working with a partner organisation from another sector and are interested in continual improvement then the ‘Is This The Best It Can Be?’ toolkit can help.
A workshop will be hosted at the Lighthouse, Glasgow on 8th February 2017 (10am til 4pm) for you and your partner organisation to use and explore this toolkit in the context of your artistic projects, programmes in participatory settings and in creative learning.
The toolkit is designed to be used across a partnership, including with participants to:
Explore and agree the nature of collaborations
Encourage and support curiosity, questioning and constructive criticism
Deepen reflection and give breadth to discussions
Promote a true sense of partnership between artists, partners and participants
Gather qualitative information about the project
The day will fully engage you in the toolkit and give you the opportunity to explore its potential in relation to your current and future collaborations. It will also be an opportunity to hear about how to apply for a grant of up to £1500 to pilot the toolkit within your project.
To find out more about the workshop, and to register your interest in attending, please see further details on the Creative Scotland Opportunities website. Please register your interest by Friday 13 January 2017 – if you’re based outwith Glasgow, it may be possible to reimburse your expenses to attend.
Please note that places are limited so if requests exceed demand places will be selected based on geographic, artform and context spread, and diversity within the projects.
Scottish Care is delighted to join with the countless others who today have congratulated our former Chief Executive Officer, Ranald Mair on being awarded an OBE in the New Years Honours list.
This recognition of decades of work in social work and social care speaks volumes of the dedication, commitment and principles which Ranald embodies. His leadership of Scottish Care for nearly a decade has helped to put the voice of the independent sector at the heart of all debate about social care in Scotland.
His passionate desire to advance the cause of older people’s care and support has never wavered nor has his commitment to the thousands of women and men who work every day to care for some of our most vulnerable citizens.
We are therefore absolutely delighted that all his work and energy has been recognised and we extend our gratitude and thanks to Ranald.
The Improvement Hub (ihub), part of Healthcare Improvement Scotland, has been asked by COSLA to facilitate a session to help Health and Social Care Partnerships (H&SCPs); as a collective group, to generate ideas around alternatives to sleepovers.
The free workshop will be a whole day event held on Wednesday 1st of February 2017 at COSLA Building Verity House, 19 Haymarket Yards, Edinburgh EH12 5BH.
Sleepovers are a form of overnight support where the worker is sleeping/resting at their place of work ( the supported person’s home) but must be available to respond to the person’s needs during their shift.
Workshop aim:
This is an opportunity for participants to contribute to the development and redesign of the current approach to sleepovers, whilst maintaining safe, quality overnight support for the people who need it and making best use of the funding available.
Who should attend?
The event is open to Health & Social Care Partnership staff; social care providers and relevant intermediaries. It will be of most relevance to staff with experience of commissioning and delivering sleepovers and other forms of overnight support.
Please disseminate this as widely as possible within your organisation with these groups of staff and others who you feel it is of relevance to.
The learning from the event will be disseminated and shared with attendees, other partners and across H&SCPs.
To find out more and reserve your place:
Places are limited so please respond no later than the 20th of January to reserve your place.
Report on Scottish Care National Care Home Conference 2016
CEO of Scottish Care, Dr Donald Macaskill
Friday 18th November saw Scottish Care’s Annual Care Home Conference take place at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow, attracting a record 480 delegates and over 80 exhibitors.
The theme for this year’s Conference was “Care Homes at the Heart”, with speakers exploring the place of care homes at the heart of their communities.
The Care Home Conference is the biggest and best attended event of its kind in Scotland, attracting a wide range of stakeholders including independent care sector organisations, Scottish Government, health and social care partnerships, regulatory bodies and private businesses.
You can listen to audio from Conference this year on our Soundcloud app below.
Conference began with a warm welcome from morning Chair Lord Sutherland, highlighting the sincere dedication and professionalism of those who work in the sector.
We then had a welcome from Conference Sponsor the Clydesdale Bank, represented by Derek Breingan, the head of Health and Social Care Sector UK. Mr Breingan told Conference:
“The care sector is incredibly important to the Scottish economy and plays a valuable role in communities across the country. Despite the challenges, care providers are investing, innovating and enhancing the services they provide to continue delivering excellent levels of care. Clydesdale Bank is delighted to be partnering with Scottish Care.”
Cabinet Secretary Shona Robison
The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing & Sport Shona Robison addressed delegates, praising dedicated front line nursing staff as well as innovative practices and high quality care taking place across the sector in Scotland.
The Cabinet Secretary praised Scottish Care for the Voices from the Front Line Nursing Report and highlighted that she was committed to listening to the voices and views of the front line workforce.
Scottish Care CEO Dr Donald Macaskill officially launched the Voices from the Front Line Nursing Report along with front line nurse Nancyanne Smith. The report is based on interviews with 28 nurses working in the independent sector, and shares their joys, frustrations and aspirations in their roles through their own voices. It sets out 10 recommendations which Scottish Care hopes to progress in partnership with other organisations.
Nancyanne Smith & Dr Donald Macaskill launch Nursing from the Front Line Report
Professor Sir Lewis Ritchie gave an impassioned and moving speech about care homes at the heart of Primary Care, the need to work together in the sector and the need to ensure we are open to working together as well as moving forwards as a sector together. Sir Lewis Ritchie highlighted the “importance of good leadership and innovation within the social care sector”.
Christina West, Chief Officer of the Argyll & Bute Health and Social Care Partnership spoke about the need to contribute towards making high level integrated care a reality in addition to the importance of developing relationships in the sector based on shared ambition, values and culture.
You can listen to more audio from Conference this year on our Soundcloud app below.
https://soundcloud.com/user-403561181
Brand new for Conference were the Insight Sessions, a series of workshops which gave delegates the opportunity to attend a session of their choice. Insight Sessions were delivered by organisations including Alzheimer Scotland,Luminate which looked at the use of arts in care and NHS Education for Scotland looking at Infection Prevention. Scottish Care delivered two of the insight sessions, with Katharine Ross and Becca Gatherum leading the Workforce Matters session and Margaret McKeith delivering the Partners for Integration session.
Conference was treated to a public premiere and world first public viewing of a film created by the BAFTA award winning Scottish documentary maker, Duncan Cowles. ‘Directed by North Merchiston’ is series of five short films commissioned by Scottish Care which were made with residents at North Merchiston Care Home. You can watch previews of Duncan’s films at www.duncancowles.com/directed-by-north-merchiston
Dr Martin Wilson from Raigmore Hospital then gave a moving and engaging presentation on care homes at the heart of Palliative Care. Dr Wilson talked about assets in delivering palliative care as well as changing attitudes and perceptions through education about the need to prepare for requiring palliative care.
Rami Okasha and Kevin Mitchell of the Care Inspectorate
An interview with Rami Okasha and Kevin Mitchell from the Care Inspectorate saw Scottish Care’s Carlyn Miller lead with a series of questions to the panel regarding care homes at the heart of Human Rights based regulation in addition to the new National Care Standards.
Sally Loudon, Chief Executive of COSLA gave a presentation titled Care Homes at the Heart of Reform in which she told delegates that “we are all at a time of transformation and change” whilst also taking the opportunity to praise the long standing relationship between COSLA and Scottish Care.
Award winning poet Ken Cockburn presented an original poem to Conference entitled ‘Shared Stakes’ which he had written inspired by events of the day, taking inspiration from the themes, speakers and delegates of the day. You can read Ken’s poem here.
Final comments were given by Dr Donald Macaskill, who told Conference: “Sometimes change is not always welcome and reform is seen as uncomfortable but we have a real opportunity to shape the way we reform for the people who matter the most, which is not only those who provide services but those who use services.”
Ending on a note of togetherness and collaboration Dr Macaskill praised Conference by saying: “Today has been creative, it’s been about change and it’s been about challenge, that we all face together and will endure together. Thank you to everyone who has facilitated and led our insight sessions today, thank you to our delegates and exhibitors, thank you Conference.”
