A call to end the Self-Directed Support “lottery”, to authorize an independent review of residential care costs, and the appointment of a government minister for social care as soon as possible are among the asks set out by Scottish Care in its new manifesto.

The organisation that represents the independent social care sector in Scotland – which includes over 400 organisations involved in residential and nursing care, care at home and housing support services – says action must be taken to ensure equitable access to Self-Directed Support (SDS) and end a lottery that has developed because of differences between local authority budgets.

Price should no longer determine choice, says Scottish Care in its manifesto, that also calls for a social care covenant that “places the dignity of individuals at the heart of decision-making and at the forefront of a more inclusive social care future”.

Yesterday Nicola Sturgeon said that, should her party win the May elections and form the next government, legislation to create a national care service would be introduced to the Scottish Parliament within a year.

Having previously cautioned against creating a national service, Scottish Care’s manifesto, published today, suggests it could drive “consistent, high quality social care” if its remit is clear and it is developed in partnership with the people who use care services.

Next steps should include the appointment of a minister for social care, according to the document – a move that would “enhance the status” of the sector and provide parity between social and health care.

The review of adult social care, led by former NHSScotland chief executive Derek Feeley, concluded local authorities should no longer be in charge of commissioning and procurement of care services. That responsibility should shift to Integrations Joint Boards, the review stated.

Despite COSLA, the body representing councils, saying it had “grave concerns” about such a move, the Scottish government has pledged to implement all of the review recommendations, including supplanting councils as care commissioners.

In its manifesto though, Scottish Care says despite the impact of what it says has been the failure of local government over several decades in social care, “local authorities should continue to have an important role, second to that of those who use services and supports”.

Independent and third sector providers deliver 80% of social care in Scotland, and Scottish Care’s manifesto pleads for the independent sector to be “fairly represented” as any national service plans progress.

The Feeley review was told by one provider that “competitive tendering destroys the very relationships that are crucial to success in social care”, leading the review to conclude that alternatives to competitive tendering had to be developed across Scotland, and fast.

Scottish Care states that home care commissioning between authorities and providers has been “one-sided, creating a sense of mistrust and preventing opportunity for open collaboration to stimulate innovation, maximise potential and reduce bureaucracy”.

Commissioning must become more collaborative, according to the manifesto, and move away from the “time and task” model of provision that meant some care workers are paid by the minute and at times with only ten or fifteen minutes allocated for a care visit.

When it comes to care homes – the epicentre for much of the devastation inflicted by covid-19 – an updated national contract should be devised, Scottish Care states, to stabilise a sector which has suffered a “significant reduction in funding” relative to inflation.

The manifesto says a new contract must take account of the additional resources that are, and will continue to be, needed to look after the increasing number of people with dementia and other neurological conditions in Scotland.

An independent review of residential costs for care home residents is also called for.

Last month the Scottish government announced extra funding was being made available so staff providing direct adult social care would receive at least the Real Living Wage of £9.50 an hour.

Opposition MSPs and Scottish Care were critical of the uplift though, highlighting it was around half of what was offered to NHS staff and suggesting it was inadequate to stop an exodus from the social care workforce in the wake of the pandemic.

In today’s manifesto Scottish Care reiterates the findings of the Feeley review: that social care workers are “undervalued” for the skilled work they do.

Standard terms and conditions of employment – including pay – need to be brought in across the mixed model of care provision in Scotland, the document states, alongside standardised induction training that would enable carers to move more easily between providers and established career pathways as a means of reducing turnover.

Among the eight areas covered by the manifesto, the need for social care to play its part in addressing the climate crisis is also touched on, with Scottish Care suggesting the green credentials of a provider should be considered during the commissioning process.

Karen Hedge, National Director at Scottish Care says Scotland is “at a standpoint for social care”.

“The pandemic has highlighted the potential of the sector; the agility of our providers and the dedication and skill of our workforce,” she states. “This, coupled with the Review of Adult Social Care, has changed parameters and expectations of the sector making the forthcoming election a critical opportunity to address the eight areas of focus outlined by Scottish Care in their Social Care Covenant, so that we can get this right for the people of Scotland.”

 

Read more: Insight: Care procurement criticism ‘not full picture’; Sturgeon: NCS legislation within a year of SNP win; Bridge the gap between reality and promise, carers urge; Criticism as social care pay rise half that of NHS

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