It is reported that across Scotland only an average of 38% of providers have made claims for sustainability payments. In some areas, this number is as low as 14%.

By now you should have received forms to support your application from your Local Authority/HSCP or Lead Authority. The principles for these payments can be found here: https://www.cosla.gov.uk/news/may-2020/social-care-sustainability-payments

As you know, Scottish Care has been working closely with Scottish Government, COSLA and Chief Finance Officers to progress issues of financial sustainability and staffing costs.

Three weeks ago, we introduced a system of raising individual concerns at a national level where they are then progressed by COSLA against agreed principles. Much work has been done to address these concerns. For more information about the sort of issues which have been addressed in your local area, please see the spreadsheet below.

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?

• Make your claims for payment as soon as possible. Failure to do so could impact future funding opportunities.
• If you have an urgent need for funding, raise this with your local commissioning team – they are prepared for such circumstances to make priority payments.
• If you are having concerns with the payment process, raise this with your local commissioning team. If this does not help, then contact your local Independent Sector Lead or if you do not have one, contact Swaran Rakhra, Membership Support Manager. They will feed this into the process outlined above to be addressed by COSLA.