Posted on

Five Nations Care Forum Communiqué 16 November 2023

Eight steps to a sustainable social care workforce

In this rapidly changing world, the demands on the social care workforce are also evolving. Our workforce is the backbone of the care and support sector, and investing in its capabilities and well-being is key to achieving our shared goals. Demographic and societal changes require a creative and innovative approach to how we deliver care and support in a sustainable way, which enables the person-led care and support we all deserve.

We recognize the need to support a workforce that is adaptable, innovative, and equipped with the necessary skills to address the complex needs experienced by individuals and communities. But this will require bravery across the whole social care system to address the implementation gap experienced to date and reinforced by bureaucracy and systemic barriers. The Five Nations Care Forum is calling for urgent attention on the following seven recommendations for a sustainable social care workforce.

  1. A valued workforce

A collaborative pledge to value social care as a career that is actively promoted and supported by the sector, civil servants and politicians.

  1. Continuous Training and Professional Development

Enable a system for knowledge exchange and co-creation across training and development.

Encourage and create the conditions for lifelong learning opportunities for all social care professionals.

Establish an interdisciplinary career pathway across health and social care.

  1. Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives

Implement initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion with the healthcare workforce, ensuring that our staff is reflective of the diverse populations we serve.

Foster a culture of respect and inclusion, providing training to address unconscious biases and create a supportive working environment.

Engage in a global conversation about the impact of economic migration.

  1. Mental Health and Well-being support

Develop comprehensive mental health support programmes for social care workers recognising the unique stressors they face in their roles.

Establish peer support networks and counselling services to address burnout and promote healthy work life balance.

  1. Technology integration

Invest in technology solutions that enhance the efficiency of social care and support delivery, reducing administrative burdens and allowing more time for direct patient care.

Provide training and resource to ensure all social care professionals can effectively utilize new technologies.

  1. Collaboration and interdisciplinary teams

Promote collaboration among different social care disciplines to create a more integrated and holistic approach to patient care.

Develop interdisciplinary training programmes to encourage effective communication and collaboration.

  1. Flexible work arrangements

Implement flexible work arrangements such as remote work options and flexible scheduling to accommodate the diverse needs of social care professionals.

Recognise and address the unique challenge faced by caregivers, providing tailored solutions to support their work-life balance.

  1. Recognition and Rewards

Establish a system for recognizing and rewarding outstanding contributions by social care professionals.

Develop incentive programmes to attract and retain top talent in the care sector.

These recommendations are intended to serve as a foundation for our collaborative efforts to strengthen the social care workforce across our nations. By prioritizing these initiatives, we can build a resilient and empowered workforce who are not only capable to providing the high-quality care and support that our communities deserve but experience the joy that working in this valuable sector can bring.

The 5 Nations Care Forum is an alliance of the professional associations representing the care sector across the UK and Ireland

-ENDS- 

This statement has been issued by Scottish Care on behalf of the Five Nations Care Forum, of which Scottish Care is a member.

About the Five Nations Care Forum

 The 5 Nations Care Forum is an alliance of the professional associations representing the care sector across the UK and Ireland. Through a collective commitment to information sharing, joint lobbying, shared learning and support, the aim of the 5 Nations Care Forum is to add value to members’ activity by promoting the interests of service recipients, staff and service providers. The Forum seeks to encourage the development of a joined-up approach to matters which have a UK-wide or European dimension.

For more information including membership: http://www.fivenationscareforum.com/

Posted on

Bereavement Charter Webinar “The Space Between: Understanding Anticipatory Grief” – Resources

“The Space Between: Understanding Anticipatory Grief” was a recent webinar hosted by Scotland’s National Bereavement Charter for Adults and Children Working Group. This session took place on 1 November 2023, and marked the fourth in a series of enlightening webinars exploring diverse aspects of death and bereavement.

The webinar delved into the topic of anticipatory grief, shedding light on this complex emotional experience faced by many. We were privileged to have speakers and experts who shared their valuable insights.

For those who missed the live session or wish to revisit the discussions, we are pleased to announce that the recording of the webinar is now available on: https://youtu.be/VNsJcIWVZJ8. Additionally, the presentation slides shared by our speakers can be accessed below:

The knowledge shared during this webinar promises to be a valuable resource for both professionals and individuals navigating the complexities of bereavement.

Posted on

The Truth about Ageing plus Q&A – 10 November 2023

 – 

Location: Tower Suite, Forth Valley College, Alloa, FK10 1PX

Booking required

In the upcoming event, “The Truth About Ageing,” participants will embark on an exploration aimed at reframing the perception of ageing and older age. Departing from the conventional view of ageing as a challenge, this event advocates for perceiving it as an opportunity for thriving. This event serves as a continuation of the impactful Reimagining the Future in Older Age Project, delving into the nuances of older age and its potential. Utilising Forum Theatre, an interactive theatrical approach empowering the audience to actively reshape the narrative, the event seeks to reshape societal perspectives on ageing and older age.

Following the theatre performance, attendees will engage in a Panel and Audience Q&A session, delving into the issues brought forth by “The Truth About Ageing.” The esteemed panel comprises Professor Alison Bowes and Dr Melanie Lovatt from the University of Stirling, Dr Donald Macaskill, Chief Executive of Scottish Care, and Suzanne Dance, an Actor and Facilitator associated with Active Inquiry. Guiding the discussion, Dr Hannah Graham of the University of Stirling will chair the panel, fostering meaningful dialogue on the evolving landscape of ageing perceptions.

Find out more and book your place here

Posted on

Scottish Modern Slavery Roundtable: Resources Available

Scottish Care, in partnership with Scotland Against Modern Slavery (SAMS), successfully hosted the Scottish Modern Slavery Roundtable on 26 October. This significant event brought together experts and stakeholders to discuss vital issues surrounding modern slavery.

We are delighted to announce that the recording of this insightful session is now accessible to the public. The recording can be viewed via the following link: Recording Link.

In addition to the video, we are sharing the presentation slides from key contributors:

We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who engaged in this crucial discussion. Your active participation contributed significantly to the depth and diversity of perspectives explored during the event.

Posted on

Joint statement: Scottish Government’s Winter Plan ‘offers no hope for social care’

As the CEOs of Scotland’s two major umbrella bodies representing providers of care and support in the third and independent sectors we are dismayed to see yet another Winter Plan which purports to be a whole system response for Scottish citizens but in fact offers almost no hope for social care.

Both of our organisations have attempted to convince both the Scottish Government and CoSLA that the plan was wholly insufficient to address the deep crisis facing our members and a system that is meant to uphold the rights of individuals who require care and support.

We have tried to be constructive in those discussions to which we have been invited, but have certainly not been engaged in any way as equal partners in finding solutions for a system in which our members deliver key public services for some of our country’s most vulnerable individuals and families. This document reflects that. The marginal changes made to an early draft following our strong criticisms do not allay the fundamental concerns we shared.

In particular, we note a deeply disturbing direction for social care providers and, ultimately, for those who rely on services to maintain independence and connection and prevent crisis:

Where necessary, local systems will prioritise social care and support services for those who need it most and are considered to be at a critical or substantial risk level.

In the current climate, where we already see social care budgets being depressed to the detriment of people and, indeed the wider system, we fear this will be read as carte blanche to remove or reduce funding for many people who need support. This cannot be allowed to happen.

We hope that the Cabinet Secretary and CoSLA leaders will clarify their intentions in including this statement and do significantly more to underline their commitment to a thriving social care system for which they wish to share accountability through a National Care Service.

Rachel Cackett, CEO, CCPS, and Dr Donald Macaskill, CEO, Scottish Care

Posted on

News Release: A Scotland That Cares – survey results & new briefing

Major surge in people who think care work is under-valued in Scotland, with majority saying nothing has changed for carers since pandemic

New data also suggests 1 in 3 Scots have caring responsibilities

The Scottish Government is being challenged to make a ‘transformative and world leading commitment to all carers’, as new polling reveals the overwhelming belief of people across Scotland that carers of all kinds are undervalued.

The poll, carried out by YouGov on behalf of the A Scotland That Cares campaign, shows that a staggering one in three adults (30%) in Scotland have caring responsibilities*; with respondents saying they are a parent (15%) or look after a child informally (7%), are an unpaid carer for someone who is ill, disabled or elderly (7%), or are employed in a paid caring role (2%).

While caring is widespread, the data exposes that nearly three quarters (74%) of adults in Scotland believe that care work is not valued highly enough by the Scottish Government.

This figure represents a significant jump since the peak of the pandemic in 2020, when 62% of Scottish adults said they didn’t think care work was valued highly enough by the Scottish Government.

The polling also reveals the majority of people don’t think that the increased attention on the role of carers during the pandemic resulted in any additional practical support for paid carers (57%), unpaid carers (61%) or parents (55%).

The A Scotland That Cares campaign, which is backed by over 60 organisations including frontline organisations representing unpaid carers, parents and paid care workers as well as prominent anti-poverty charities and think tanks, is calling on the Scottish Government to urgently address the public’s concerns and the deep undervaluation of the nation’s carers.

Becky Duff, Director of Carers Trust Scotland, said: “The pandemic shone an unblinking spotlight on how essential the roles of unpaid carers and paid care workers are for holding society together. We are incredibly disappointed that despite this increased attention, most people believe that nothing has really changed for carers. People across Scotland are even more concerned now than they were during the pandemic about how valued carers are, including by Scottish Government. These findings send a clear message: the scale of action needs to go further, faster by putting carers at the heart of Scottish Government’s plans for Scotland’s future.”

Alongside immediately accelerating and deepening action to boost support for all those with caring responsibilities, campaigners say the Scottish Government must lock-in a commitment to transformative change. They say the current review of its ‘National Outcomes’ – the goals which it says describe ‘the kind of Scotland’ it wishes to create – provides Ministers with a golden opportunity to demonstrate its support for carers.

The Scottish Government has 11 existing National Outcomes, including on health, poverty, the environment and education. Progress on each Outcome is measured by a number of indicators, and the Outcomes are intended to drive policy and spending decision-making.

However, there is no dedicated National Outcome on care: a glaring omission which campaigners believe should be addressed when Scottish Ministers lay draft new National Outcomes before Parliament in the coming months.

Carmen Martinez, Coordinator of the Scottish Women’s Budget Group, said: “Most of us will know someone who does care work – whether paid or unpaid – or even be one ourselves, with women being much more likely to be carers than men. But all of us will need to be cared for at some point in our lives. Yet, although caring is crucial to us all, it is chronically undervalued; it’s very telling that carers don’t even feature in the Scottish Government’s existing vision for the country. It’s time for Ministers to right that wrong, by creating a new, robust National Outcome on care to drive the actions needed to fully value and invest in care and all those who provide it.”

The new polling demonstrates strong public support for a new National Outcome on care, with nearly two-thirds (64%) of adults in Scotland saying they back it.

Campaigners say that while creating a National Outcome on care wouldn’t be a silver bullet to address the multiple issues faced by different types of carers, it would provide a strong focus for new, and sustained, policy and spending action at national and local levels.

The A Scotland That Cares campaign says it must be accompanied by robust and cross-cutting National Indicators, to measure progress meaningfully and transparently, including to ensure carers have the practical and financial support they need.

If implemented, Scotland would become one of the first countries in the world to make such an explicit commitment to driving and transparently measuring progress on how care is valued.

Jamie Livingstone, Head of Oxfam Scotland, said: “Care matters deeply to us all. Scotland’s communities and economy is underpinned by the invisible yet invaluable efforts of people who look after others, too many of whom face significant personal impacts, including poverty. Yet politicians’ warm words and pandemic plaudits haven’t been and will never be enough. The Scottish Government has a golden opportunity to make a transformative and world leading commitment to carers by placing them at the heart of its vision for the country through the creation of a new National Outcome on care; it must take it.”

/ENDS

For more information please contact: Rebecca Lozza, Oxfam Media and Communications Adviser, Scotland and Wales: [email protected] / 07917738450  

Notes to Editors

  • All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1,012 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 6th – 10th October 2023. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all adults in Scotland (aged 18+).
  • *Please note this was a multiple-choice question, so some respondents may have selected more than one answer.
  • Find out more about the A Scotland That Cares campaign here: https://ascotlandthatcares.org/
  • The explainer briefing ‘Invaluable but Invisible’ is available here
Posted on

Finalists Revealed for the 2023 Care Home Awards!

We are thrilled to share that the finalists for the 2023 Care Home Awards have been chosen! This year, we were inundated with a record-breaking number of entries, all of exceptional quality. The high standard of submissions made the judging process incredibly challenging, showcasing the outstanding work and dedication within our community. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who entered the awards, and congratulations to our finalists!

The anticipation continues to build as we prepare for the grand reveal of the winners at our Awards Ceremony. This special evening, set to be hosted by Michelle McManus, alongside Scottish Care CEO, Dr. Donald Macaskill, promises to be a celebration of excellence.

Event Details:

Date: Friday 17th November 2023
Time: 18:30 – 01:00
Venue: Hilton Hotel, 1 William Street, Glasgow

For those interested in joining us for this memorable occasion, awards tables are available for booking. To secure your spot please fill out this form here.

 

Posted on

Bereavement Charter Webinar: “The Space Between: understanding anticipatory grief.” (1 Nov 2023)

“The Space Between: understanding anticipatory grief.”    | A webinar from Scotland’s National Bereavement Charter for Adults and Children Working Group.

Wednesday 1st November 2023, 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm (via Microsoft Teams)

The Group which developed the Charter is holding the fourth in a series of webinars exploring different elements of death and bereavement.

Full programme can be viewed below.

Register your place on: Webinar (microsoft.com)

Bereavement Webinar Flyer - Nov 2023 (1)

Download programme 

Posted on

TURAS Update Webinar – 5 October

TURAS Update Webinar – 5 October

Thurs 5 Oct 2023, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Online via Microsoft Teams

This webinar is hosted by our Workforce Policy & Practice Lead, who will be joined by colleagues from the Scottish Government. This session is following on from recent communications on changes to the Safety Huddle Tool. It will give you an overview of what has changed and why. This will be followed by a question and answer session about the tool and the new questions.

This webinar is for Scottish Care members only. The meeting link is available on the Members Area of this website.