Scotland knows how to fix social care – why are we still waiting?

In her latest TFN column, our Chief Officer Sara Redmond reflects on the current state of social care in Scotland.

Andy Burnham’s recent pledge to “fix” social care in England has brought renewed attention to an issue Scotland has seen significant reform efforts in recent years.

The Feeley Review laid out a compelling vision for a rights-based social care system, and the Care Reform Bill sought to take some of that work forward. But for many of the people who rely on support every day, the promised transformation has yet to materialise.

Years of reviews, debate and reform have helped diagnose the problems. What they have not yet done is solve them.

Too many people are still waiting for support, too many unpaid carers are carrying an unsustainable burden, and too many families are left navigating a fragmented system. The real question now is not what needs to change, but how much longer people can wait for it.

Behind every conversation we have about reform are real people and real stories; whether it is a disabled person trying to maintain their independence, an older person who wants to remain connected to their community, or an unpaid carer balancing work, family life and caring responsibilities. For these people, social care is not a political issue but a daily reality.

Social care enables people to live the lives they choose. It supports independence, dignity, and participation in community life. It helps people maintain relationships, pursue opportunities and stay connected to the things that matter most to them.

Recent figures from Public Health Scotland show 6,600 people were waiting for a social care assessment in July this year, while more than 3,000 people had already been assessed but were still waiting for a care-at-home package. That’s enough people to fill the Edinburgh Playhouse – Scotland’s largest theatre – three times over. That’s thousands of people and their families whose lives are effectively on hold while they wait for essential support, navigating complex systems alone. Meaning unpaid carers continue to shoulder enormous responsibilities.

People have been sharing their experiences of social care for years. Through reviews, consultations and engagement exercises, they have repeatedly highlighted the same barriers. Meaningful lived experience must continue to shape decision-making. But we must also recognise the growing risk of engagement fatigue. People should not be asked to share deeply personal experiences repeatedly without seeing tangible action as a result.

The challenge facing Scotland is not a lack of understanding. It is turning what we already know into change. We no longer need to question if person-centred support works; we know that it does. It is whether we are willing to put in place the investment, accountability, and structural foundations needed to make it consistently available to everyone who needs it. Social care is a right; it should not be a waiting list.

We do not need to look far to see what good social care looks like. Across Scotland, organisations such as C-Change, Crossroads Fife, Streets Ahead Borders, Hansel, and so many more are delivering personalised support across Scotland that helps people live independently, stay connected to their communities, and achieve outcomes that matter to them. Their work is a shining example that person-centred care is already happening. If we are serious about creating a Scotland where everyone can live well with dignity and respect, we need long-term commitment, meaningful investment and genuine partnership with the people most affected by decisions. We need to move beyond managing crises and start building a system designed around human rights, prevention, and choice.

Social care should never be viewed as a burden or an afterthought. It is one of the foundations of a fair society. Andy Burnham’s comments have brought social care back into the public conversation. We must use this moment well. 

This article first appeared in the August edition of Third Force News.

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