Improved oversight, support for carers and care home residents'
rights central to National Care Service.
A dedicated advisory board, support for unpaid carers and
enshrining care home residents' rights to see loved ones are at
the heart of revised plans for the National Care Service.
Social Care Minister outlined the next steps for
reform to Parliament after plans to progress the National Care
Service Bill were paused for further consideration in November
2024.
A new non-statutory advisory board – comprising of people with
lived experience of accessing care, social care workers, care
providers, trade unions, the NHS and local government – will be
established to provide guidance and drive improvement within the
sector. It is expected to meet for the first time in the spring.
The introduction of Anne's Law, which upholds the rights of
residents in care homes to be visited by families or friends,
will remain in the legislation to reform social care, alongside a
right to breaks for unpaid carers.
The Scottish Government Bill will also improve
information-sharing across health settings and the ability for
individuals to access and manage information about their care,
while progressing plans for a national social work partnership.
Ms Todd said:
“We want to deliver a National Care Service that improves the
experience of everyone who relies on social care, social work and
community health in Scotland.
“Change is urgently needed to reform the social care sector in
Scotland but it has to be meaningful and sustainable change.
That's why we paused the Bill for further consideration, to fully
capture the views expressed by all stakeholders, members of the
public and the Parliament.
“The advisory board will include people with lived experience of
social care, ensuring it has those who access services at its
heart. It will allow us to drive forward vital reform more
quickly than our original proposals.
“The Bill gives adult care home residents a legal right to see
their loved ones with the implementation of Anne's Law and
recognises the significant contribution of unpaid carers to
Scotland's communities by introducing a right to breaks.
“There will be enhanced information-sharing to improve the
coordination of individuals' care, and we will work in
partnership with the sector to bring forward reform that
future-proofs the social work service in Scotland.
“People need sustainable change to social care and these actions
will allow that to happen as quickly as possible.”
Background
- The Scottish Government intend to remove Part 1 of the
National Care Service (Scotland) Bill but will retain Parts 2 and
3 of the Bill at Stage 2, subject to Parliament's agreement.
- The Bill includes commitments to implement Anne's Law into
legislation, additional support for unpaid carers and reform for
the social work sector.
- We will also form a non-statutory advisory board to provide
guidance and drive forward improvement within the sector,
separate to the Bill.
