The consultation sets out Scottish Government proposals to improve the way social care is delivered in Scotland.

The importance of social care services has never been clearer than during the pandemic. Scottish Government want to make sure that our social care system will consistently deliver high quality services to everyone that needs them, throughout Scotland. Social care is an investment in our communities and our economy. We want to change the system from one that supports people to survive to one that empowers them to thrive, with human rights at the heart of it.

Social care includes support for people with physical disability, learning disabilities or mental health conditions, older people and those with dementia, people with or recovering from alcohol or drug addictions, those who have been or are at risk of being homeless, children and families who may need additional support, or children who are unable to live with their own families.

The Independent Review of Adult Social Care (IRASC) recommended the creation of a National Care Service, with Scottish Ministers being accountable for adult social care and support. However, the Scottish Government’s ambition is to go beyond that. This consultation therefore seeks views on creating a comprehensive community health and social care service that supports people of all ages.

This consultation focuses on exploring the proposals for significant cultural and system change that will need to be supported by primary legislation. The Independent Review of Adult Social Care made clear that changes to systems are needed to deliver improvements in the quality of social care and support.

View the consultation documents here.

At this event we will discuss the consultation and what it means for the third sector. We will hear from:

Laura Martin and Jenny Nolan, National Care Service Team, Scottish Government
Claire Stevens, Chief Executive, Voluntary Health Scotland

Please contact Lauren Blair with any questions lauren.blair@vhscotland.org.uk

A National Care Service for Scotland: Consultation Event