Private Care Sector Workforce Initiative
History & Development
Scottish Care was regarded as the main voice of the independent care home sector in Scotland. It was a not for profit organisation with over 650 homes in its membership, and represented around 74% of all care homes in Scotland, including many from the voluntary sector.
Scottish Care at Home was established in January 2006 when a few providers' met to discuss the formation of one dedicated organisation to represent their interests. It was a national representative organisation for the independent care at home and housing support sector. Scottish Care at Home represented approximately 50% of the private sector's care at home and housing support services.
In 2007, Scottish Care was successful in attracting funding from the Scottish Government through the Changing Lives programme, to undertake a Workforce Development Project. The objective for this funding was to determine the current and future skills needs of care homes for older people in Scotland and to develop a strategy to facilitate the development of the workforce.
From October 2007 to April 2008, Scottish Care at Home was funded through the Scottish Government's Changing Lives programme to undertake a workforce development survey of independent care at home services in Scotland.
Following the above Workforce Surveys, both organisations worked together to secure funding from the Scottish Government to manage the Private Care Sector Workforce Initiative in partnership - on behalf of the wider private health and social care sector in Scotland. The Initiative is now known as Workforce Matters.
Scottish Care Merger
From 1st January 2010, Scottish Care and Scottish Care at Home merged under the banner of Scottish Care, which now represents the largest group of health and social care independent providers in Scotland across residential care, care at home, housing support and day care. Click here for more information. Workforce Matters continues to be managed by a Steering Group Executive comprising Scottish Care members.
Conclusion of Work
Completed 2010-11 work in supporting the independent sector to grow its workforce development capacity and engage in both national and local activities can now be viewed. To see our final work plan to the Scottish Government for this period, which outlines the activities of the Workforce Initiative (now Workforce Matters) through the year to meet its objectives, Click Here.
