Audit Scotland briefing spotlights need for change in social care
- Area of Work: The ALLIANCE
- Type: News Item
- Published: 27th January 2022
The briefing identifies issues including lack of choice, focus on costs over outcomes, poor working conditions, and gaps in data.
Audit Scotland have published a briefing on the current state of social care in Scotland (this link will take you away from our website), calling for urgent action and change. According to Audit Scotland, there are particular challenges with the sustainability of social care, and with the wider health and social care integration agenda. Although they found positive examples of improvements to services, they argue that the pace of change has been too slow.
Amongst the issues identified in the briefing are:
- Limited progress on preventative approaches, leading to tighter eligibility criteria and higher levels of unmet need.
- Lack of choice and voice for people receiving care and unpaid carers.
- Undervaluing of the social care workforce who are mostly women and face poor working conditions, including low pay.
- Commissioning focused overly on cost rather than outcomes, with negative impacts on quality and collaboration.
- Data gaps caused by inability or unwillingness to share data, or lack of collection in the first place.
The briefing acknowledges the proposed National Care Service, but notes that there is substantial work left to do before that becomes a reality, including identifying how such reform will be funded. It also emphasises that there is clear need for action right now on some of these challenges, and calls on the Scottish Government to act quickly to deliver what it can without legislation.
End of page.
You may also like:
A newly identified security vulnerability affecting PHP software used by millions of websites worldwide requires immediate attention.
Continue readingFind out more about this pilot service for BSL users in Scotland.
Continue readingA phased campaign supports earlier CKD recognition, helping healthcare professionals deliver timely care and improve patient outcomes.
Continue readingOur response warns that Scotland cannot achieve a sustainable health & care system without greater investment in prevention and social care
Continue readingScottish Women and Girls in Sport Week 2026, organised by Active Scotland, runs 2-8 November.
Continue readingShare your experience to help shape Scotland’s work on antimicrobial resistance and infection prevention through national engagement.
Continue readingReport mapping the supports and services in place across Scotland during pregnancy and into the first few months of a baby’s life.
Continue readingPhD researchers from The Glasgow School of Art are seeking participants.
Continue readingWhat's working, what still needs to change and what Scotland must do to ensure every child can realise their right to the best health.
Continue readingA current research project is exploring the physical challenges faced day-to-day in care, both by carers and by the people they support
Continue readingYour feedback will shape an updated version of the toolkit.
Continue readingThe Scottish Transitions Forum hosted by ARC Scotland have launched the Compass National Data report for 2025-26.
Continue readingAre you blind or partially sighted? Share your experience of food packaging in a short UK-wide survey.
Continue readingFour free traineeships available in Scotland.
Continue readingLearn more about ishush - a free online support programme for adults with hyperacusis.
Continue readingApply to support equalities groups in Renfrewshire.
Continue readingConsultation launched for parents/carers, people with lived experience, and professionals.
Continue readingLearn more about Posterior Cortical Atrophy and why sensory care matters.
Continue readingNesta launch new report 'Getting it right for every baby' highlighting key challenges in the existing landscape of support.
Continue readingThe Oversight Board for the promise has launched their fourth report into Scotland’s progress in keeping the promise.
Continue readingUrgent investment needed to deliver fair, person centred social care in Scotland, say the ALLIANCE.
Continue readingOur presentation noted the negative effects of social care charging on human rights including health and adequate standard of living.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE publishes report outlining key learning from the delivery of Self Management for Life 2024 Small Grants.
Continue readingFor Menopause Month in October, the ALLIANCE and Scottish Government have brought together all our resources on menopause in one pack.
Continue readingNew report sets out action the Government must take to ensure people living with HIV can live well, free from stigma and discrimination.
Continue reading