Scottish Care at Home

Scottish Care is a national representative body established early in 2000 with funding from Scottish Care, the care at home division was developed and now represents approximately 65% of the private sector’s Care at Home and Housing support services. Members’ contribution to public service provision in Scotland is evidenced by ongoing commitment, flexibility and best value in a changing and difficult climate. Demographics identify the growing need for increased care within peoples own homes. The independent sector accounts for approximately 51% of the overall Care at Home Services. Although this figure continues to increase year on year, the in-house provision of local authorities still represents 49%  of provision at higher costs - in the current financial climate the sector can offer innovative solutions to reducing resources. More  independent providers now having to tender for contracts whilst in other areas offered ‘spot’ contracts. Members often provide for the more unsocial elements of a care service at unsustainable fixed low rates often with no paid time or travel.

An increasing number of council areas have compounded care at home service delivery issues with the tendering and re tendering of contracts.  This has exposed existing services to competition with no regard to  sustainable quality of the current service provided or the wishes of service users. This commodity style approach to the purchasing of services has created anxiety and uncertainty for service users with significant management costs for councils and providers. Scottish Care has continued to bring these concerns to the attention of the Scottish Government and COSLA.