21 August 2023

News: Insights Podcasts give voice to discussion of ethical commissioning principles

We’ve launched a brand series of podcasts on the vital issue of ethical commissioning, with experts from across the sector sharing their views.

The Coalition of Care and Support Providers in Scotland (CCPS) today launches a new series of podcasts focusing on discussion of ethical commissioning principles in social care.

The podcasts feature a range of experts sharing their views on the implications and application of ethical commissioning principles developed by the Scottish Government.

The principles were introduced to promote the move to more collaborative, outcomes-based commissioning and procurement practices that support high quality, person-centred care, fair work, sustainability for providers and real choice and control for individuals under Self Directed Support (SDS).

Introducing the new podcasts, Catherine Garrod, CCPS’s Programme Manager (Commissioning and Procurement), said:

“If fully implemented, CCPS believes that the ethical commissioning principles could make a real difference to the way that social care support is commissioned (planned), procured (purchased) and delivered.

“A move away from traditional price-based competition to greater collaboration and outcomes-focussed commissioning and contracting will lead to better outcomes for individuals, support that meets people’s needs, greater sustainability for third sector support providers and a workforce that is fully valued and rewarded for the work that they do.”

“Our new podcasts feature provocative and thoughtful discussion of these issues from a variety of expert voices. We hope they’ll be of interest to CCPS members and everyone in our sector committed to delivering on our shared vision for ethical commissioning in social care.”

Produced by Spreng Thomson and hosted by Dylan Macdonald, the first three podcasts in a series of five are launched today. They are:

1. Overview of ethical commissioning principles and why they matter

In this first episode, we hear contributions from Dr Catherine Needham, Professor of Public Policy and Public Management at the University of Birmingham, Rachel Cackett CEO of CCPS, and Andrea Wood, Convener of CCPS and CEO of the social care provider Key.

Introducing the topic, Catherine and Rachel share their views, experiences and learning regarding ethical commissioning and the impact it has for the sector, as well as everyone involved in social care. Later in the episode Andrea Wood discusses the importance of procurement principles, touching on many of the aspects explored by Catherine and Rachel.

2. Person Centred Care, SDS, supporting a diverse market of support

The second podcast features contributions from Pauline Lunn, CEO of In Control Scotland, Linda Tuthill, CEO of The Action Group, and Des McCart, Senior Programme Manager Improvement Hub (ihub) at Healthcare Improvement Scotland.

The group look at the importance of having a diverse market of support for individuals to choose from and why it is vital people are involved in the decision-making behind their support provider and support needs.

3. Fair Work in practice and financial transparency

On this podcast we hear from Anna Fowlie, CEO of SCVO and Viv Dickenson, Chief Executive of CrossReach.

Episode three focusses on how changes to the way support is commissioned, procured and contracted can help deliver fair work. The contributors also discuss the positive impact that can come from embedding fair work in contracts and sustainable rates, and the value of effective training and workforce development.

The podcasts were commissioned by the CCPS Commissioning and Procurement Programme, which is funded by Scottish Government

Over the course of the series, contributors will examine other key themes, including the importance of person-centred care in light of the pandemic; the relevance of appropriate language and how terms such as ‘bed blocking’ undermine empathy and understanding; and the need for those in receipt of care and support to experience genuine autonomy.

Listen to the podcasts on Spotify 

Find out more about CCPS’s Commissioning and Procurement Programme

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12 July 2023

NCS agreement: “We need to shape the detail”

Responding to today’s announcement of an agreement between Scottish Government, local authorities and the NHS on the National Care Service, Rachel Cackett says that genuine partnership and participation is key

Responding to today’s announcement from the Scottish Government about an accountability agreement with CoSLA and the NHS on the National Care Service, Rachel Cackett, CEO of the Coalition of Care and Support Providers, said:

“We welcome the Scottish Government and CoSLA’s efforts to find ways of progressing social care reform.

“However, there is very little detail in today’s announcement about what has actually been agreed, and how it will work in practice.  We hope this won’t simply result in the status quo continuing.

“Social care providers – like many others – need to be involved in shaping the detail so that expert views and experiences are reflected in the final legislation and in the way much-needed reform is delivered.

“We look forward to working with the three parties involved in the agreement announced today, alongside all those with experience of social care, in a way that reflects genuine partnership and participation.”

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11 July 2023

Media Release: Report reveals reality of staffing crisis in social care, with more than half of those moving jobs last year leaving the sector

Scale of challenges facing providers uncovered in new study of workforce benchmarking

Social care and support providers in Scotland are struggling with a loss of staff, with an average of 52% of those moving jobs last year leaving the social care sector altogether, according to a new report.

In the study of workforce benchmarking in the sector, almost three quarters of surveyed organisations reported a significant rise in staff turnover in 2021-22.

Seventy-three per cent of organisations delivering social care said their staff turnover rate had increased since 2020-21 – a jump of 14% in a single year and an indication of year-on-year rises in social care staff moving jobs.

Responses captured in the 2022 Social Care Benchmarking Report demonstrate the scale of sector-wide recruitment, retention and staffing challenges organisations are experiencing now.

The Coalition of Care and Support Providers in Scotland (CCPS) and the HR Voluntary Sector Forum (HRVSF) commissioned the University of Strathclyde to conduct the benchmarking survey and analysis for member organisations.

The Executive Summary of the report is published today and is available to download here.

The study also found:

  • Average turnover across respondents was 25%, an increase of 5.5% from the figure reported in 2020-2021.
  • Fifty-nine percent of respondents noted an increase in their use of agency staff (the most expensive staffing option) – building on the 45% who had noted an increase in agency use the previous year.
  • Eighty-one percent of respondents reported that their recruitment needs were higher than in the previous year, an increase of 6% from the 2020-2021 Benchmarking Report figure of 75%.
  • On anticipated future recruitment needs, 46% of respondents reported that they expect hiring staff will involve more difficulty and 54% projected the same difficulty.

Rachel Cackett, Chief Executive of CCPS, said: 

“The headline results of this benchmarking survey are stark and confirm what our provider organisations have been telling us over the past year: retention and recruitment of staff is the dominant issue in a sector that is under intense pressure.

“It’s a situation that has only worsened since this data for 2022 was captured, as differences in pay between not-for-profit social care providers and the public sector have widened yet further.

“This report points to an exit of staff across organisations, resulting in a loss of current expertise; a loss of potential talent; and a massive undermining of key services.

“It’s a loss that has an impact on achieving what we all want to see: people thriving by getting the support they need at the right times and in the right places, with consistent relationships at the heart of that support.

“This is the reason we’ve launched our 4 Steps to Fair Work campaign, which calls on the Scottish Government to take the measures long needed to deliver on investment and reform and set the sector on the route to Fair Work.

“We want to see social care organisations hold on to their workforce, to have the resources to develop their people – and for their staff to finally be fairly recognised and rewarded for their public service.”

Kevin Staunton, Chair of the HR Voluntary Sector Forum, said: 

“As Chair of the Forum, I want to take this opportunity to thank all of our members who were able to participate in the survey this year.

“For years our sector has heard many warm words about parity of esteem and being seen as an equal and key partner in the delivery of social care in Scotland. This report, building on previous years’ results, provides a strong and indisputable evidence base that the reality our people experience on a day-to-day basis is very much different and the sector cannot continue to operate on the goodwill and unfulfilled aspirations of our workforce indefinitely.

“I hope that in a year’s time positive progress has been made to make the investment and reform which has often been spoken about become a reality. Our Forum members welcome the opportunity to work positively with others to make this happen. The people we support and the people our organisations employ deserve better.”

(ends)

Media contact:
Chris Small: chris.small@ccpscotland.org.uk

Notes for editors

  • The HR Voluntary Sector Forum (HRVSF) and Coalition of Care and Support Providers in Scotland (CCPS) commissioned the University of Strathclyde to conduct the benchmarking survey and analysis for member organisations.
  • With thanks to the team at the University of Strathclyde’s Department of Work, Employment & Organisation and their colleagues at the universities of St Andrews and Middlesex.
  • The study involved 26 participant organisations, 73% of which provided social care primarily to adults. Housing support for adults formed the largest proportion of services (40%), followed by support services for adults (34%).
  • 4 Steps to Fair Work: find out more about the CCPS campaign
  • Attached 4 Steps to Fair Work campaign image by Ross Richardson – please credit the illustrator if used in print or online.
  • CCPS is the voice of the not-for-profit social care providers in Scotland. More information here.
  • The HR Voluntary Sector Forum (HRVSF) is a CIPD special interest group of third sector organisations and individuals. The Forum supports practice and information sharing alongside commissioning research relevant to the third sector workforce to inform and influence national decision-making.

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29 June 2023

News: 4 Steps to Fair Work campaign launched to bring step change in social care

New CCPS campaign amplifies voices of sector and civic society, urging the Scottish Government to pledge to invest and give hope of equality

The Coalition of Care and Support Providers in Scotland today launches a national campaign calling on the Scottish Government to deliver Fair Work for Scotland’s not-for-profit social care staff.

The campaign draws on evidence from CCPS’s membership organisations about the acute pressures currently being faced by their services as a result of the Scottish Government’s base pay rate for staff of £10.90, which is leading to staff leaving the workforce and many services being jeopardised.

The initiative aims to influence Scottish Government to take 4 Steps to Fair Work for social care staff and announce a timetable for investment. The 4 Steps are:

1. Deal with pay inequality: As a first step, implement the promise of a minimum of £12 per hour for social care staff, starting from 1 April 2023.

2. Ensure equal pay for equal work: Apply pay uplifts to staff in all services, not just those in registered adult social care.

3. Value all staff who play their part: Deliver funding packages that value the crucial role of support staff and managers, alongside frontline workers.

4. Give us hope of equality: Publish a timetable by this September to deliver fully on Fair Work in Social Care by 2025.

Launching the campaign, CCPS’s Chief Executive Rachel Cackett said:

“We may not always ‘see’ it, but social care and support is a fundamental; it touches all of us at points through our lives. But it mostly happens behind closed doors and is often obscured behind the big headlines about the crisis in the NHS.

“Social care needs to be championed in public for its crucial role in supporting people to realise their right to independence, their connections with the people and places that matter to them, their wellbeing, and their ability to participate in work, school and community.

“The Scottish Government needs to start talking about why social care matters – not just to keep the NHS on its feet, but to keep people on theirs. And it needs to articulate a plan for how it will invest in, and finally deliver, Fair Work.”

“This campaign is a first step on that journey and we hope everyone who cares about Fair Work will give it their support.”

Through the campaign CCPS’s members and wider civic society will alert the Scottish Government to why delivering on Fair Work is fundamental for the future of Scotland’s social care workforce.

Over the next three months, in the run-up to the Programme for Government and spending review, CCPS will be sharing voices, views and calls to action through the campaign.

Find out more about the campaign and take part.

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24 May 2023

Comment: Why care homes are not alone in a sector facing intense pressure

Our Chief Executive Rachel Cackett responds to news about the status of care home funding

Rachel Cackett

Responding to news about the status of care home funding across Scotland today, Rachel Cackett, CEO of the Coalition of Care and Support Providers, said:

“The situation for care homes is clearly very serious just now – and care homes are not alone in contending with sustainability issues fuelled by insufficient funding increases and too few staff. Not-for-profit social care is facing these issues in all services right now.

Our member organisations report intense pressure across the breadth of their provision, in community- and residential-based services for older people, in services for people with disabilities, and in services supporting children and families.

Why is this happening? In a large part because, despite a commitment to Fair Work in Social Care dating back to 2019, the Scottish Government has chosen to raise the minimum wage in our sector by just 3.8% to £10.90 this year.

That is an uplift only applied to staff providing registered services to adults. There is no commitment to other social care staff, for example those working in children’s services. The result is more and more of the workforce leaving social care for better terms and conditions elsewhere, jeopardising many key services.

We need to see immediate action on a pay uplift to £12 for all social care staff and across all services.

Amidst this crisis, it’s also vital we remember that there are real people at the heart of all these services. People who need support to thrive and take charge of their lives, and to play an active part in their families, communities, school and work.

We need to see a fair social care system in which workers and people who use services are truly valued. That is central to the First Minister’s vison of delivering on equality, opportunity and community in Scotland.

Unless the pay inequality being experienced by social care staff is addressed it will be impossible to fulfil that pledge.”

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11 May 2023

“We’re much happier” – How good quality family support can change lives

Marking our family support conference on 15 May 2023, we’ve published a selection of case studies provided by Aberlour, Action for Children Scotland, Barnardo’s Scotland and Children 1st

As part of our conference Whole Family Support: The Power of Prevention, held on 15 May 2023, we’re sharing examples of the positive impact family support can have.

The following case studies, videos and resources have been provided by CCPS member organisations Action for Children Scotland, Aberlour, Barnardo’s Scotland and Children 1st as part of the work of our Committee on Care and Support for Children and Young People.

Action for Children Scotland – Glasgow South Family support 

(Names have been anonymised). When the Smith family, a mother and two children, were referred, they were facing difficulties following a parental separation. The father was estranged and ongoing investigations regarding domestic abuse were underway.

This caused trauma, especially for the children’s mother Sandra and daughter Zoe (11). The turmoil affected Sandra’s confidence and mental health.

The immediate referral ask was to support with routines and boundaries, to build upon existing relationships, while improving school attendance for Zoe in particular.

The family required support with everyday planning and prioritising calls to rearrange missed appointments. First discussions were general, which enabled a list to be drawn up of what the family hoped to achieve. This planning included establishing key appointments and exploring finance maximisation options.

The family support worker took each item on the list and discussed the required process to achieve this. The worker also brought games and toys each visit for the whole family to play to encourage participation. A funding application was made for sensory items for Connor (9) who has ASD and had no methods to engage his interest in light and drawing.  Connor now has a sensory tent, lamp, and a drawing board.

The family support worker is in direct contact with Zoe’s high school to help with increased attendance.

The family engaged in discussions on boundaries and the need for these and detailing some small changes. For example, using words to express frustration, rather than hitting mum, as well as greater understanding of anger masking other emotions and the benefits of naming our emotions and working through these.

Sandra has noted that finances are more stable and she feels less concerned about managing day-to-day activities. “Things are much better; home life has improved and we are much happier.”

Sandra is also considering getting back into employment following many years at home.

Examples of family support in Barnardo’s Scotland

We know from our experience within Barnardo’s Scotland that it can take some time for families to find the right type and level of support, often only being able to access help once their situation has deteriorated and there is a risk of statutory intervention. That’s why we need to see a greater focus on early intervention.

Early years

We know that a child’s earliest years are critical, as our experience in this period starts to shape the way we relate to others. Our Perinatal Mental Health Service across Renfrewshire and Inverclyde provides a range of group work and one to one support for expectant parents, new parents and carers and infants up to three years old. We use the Five to Thrive method to provide parents with knowledge and skills about attachment and development, so they have lots of information about how their baby will grow and develop and how they can support them.

Many of the parents supported by ‘Growing Together’ are also care experienced. This is what Julie from our Threads service in Renfrewshire says about her role and the difference this can make: “I work with young families who are either expecting a baby or have a baby in that first year perinatal period. I work a lot with the Five to Thrive approach, giving parents more information about how their baby is developing and how their interactions have an impact on how their baby develops. I also work with families where I give a lot of emotional support, again through the peri-natal period, again young mums.”

Schools-based support

Barnardo’s Scotland has a long history of working in partnership with schools and we deliver schools-based support to around 16% of the Scottish education estate and recognise the range of complex issues which can affect children and young people’s engagement in education. Our work often includes individual and group support to children, young people and their families using a family support approach.

Lesley, who works in our Barnardo’s Scotland Nurture service in Inverclyde, has said: “I support families with any sort of need, so it could be problems with their tenancy, problems with their finances, budgeting, getting their benefits straight, those sorts of immediate practical supports. But I also offer support emotionally, if they are going through tough times either because they have mental or physical health problems, or because someone in their family has mental or physical health problems, or relationship issues with kids, partner or other people in their family or community. It can also be they have problems implementing routines and boundaries with their kids and addressing this can make family life much better.

“I try and give support that’s appropriate to the level of their need, to come alongside them and not disempower them in any way. I want them to realise they have the power within themselves to get through whatever is going on for them and get out the other end. I always believe we can work together to get to a place where they no longer need me. Parents are the best people to know what’s going on in their family, they are the experts and it’s much better to support them to a place where they can deal with things on their own.”

Supporting families affected by disability

Across Barnardo’s Scotland we provide family support in partnership with children, young people and families, who experience a range of additional support needs, including disability. Our staff can provide practical support, including help understanding a diagnosis or condition, alongside listening and supporting parental self-care.

Reflecting on her role, Alison from our Dundee service said: “I work in a child and family service where we have a focus on children with disabilities. I predominantly work with parents. However, I use a whole family approach because a parent needs to be ok to be able to parent effectively.

“It can be supporting parents with their mental health, routines, structure, boundaries, understanding their child’s diagnosis, and sometimes it’s just being that person on the end of the phone, to listen and to say, ‘ok what solution can we come up with then?’. It’s about supporting parents to enjoy the uniqueness of their child and to learn and have the confidence to say what works for them and their child.”’

Supporting the transition to adulthood for young adults

For many young people the transition to adulthood and independent living can be challenging if they don’t have a positive support network to help them navigate the changes this brings.

Barnardo’s Scotland has a number of 16+, leaving care and housing support services who are able be alongside young people and offer practical and emotional help as they set off on their journey to independence.

Here is what Lucy from our Renfrewshire service said about her role: “I work mainly with young people who live in our Gap Homes, who are transitioning from a care setting to independent living. Initially it is a very high level of support but as they get more confident that eases off. The pandemic has had a big impact on mental health so we have been getting out for walks, lots of nature activities, support with cooking and cleaning, a lot of conflict resolution and anything else which can support their day to day lives.

“When they go on to independent living I carry on supporting them… Previously we’ve had families in the house too so that included supporting the parents and the babies, being there in the evenings helping with bedtime routines and popping in each morning to help with the morning routine. We’re always adapting to meet the needs of the young people; either reducing the support down or building it up depending on what they need.”

Case study and film from Aberlour

Read a case study and watch a short film about a family the charity has supported though its Aberlour Sustain Angus Service.

Stories and resources from Children 1st

Watch a short video about East Renfrewshire’ Family Wellbeing service on YouTube

Read Teresa’s story

Read about why family support is a right

Download a briefing for MSPs on Championing the Right to Holistic Family Support.

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18 April 2023

Comment: The days of ‘jam tomorrow’ promises on social care in this country are over. It’s time to act

It should be a national scandal that government after government, whether in Holyrood or Westminster, has kicked decisions on investing in social care and support down the road, over and over again, writes CCPS’s CEO Rachel Cackett.

Rachel Cackett

I’ve been listening to the First Minister’s speech to parliament this afternoon with a growing sense of frustration and anger. It should be a national scandal that government after government, whether in Holyrood or Westminster, has kicked decisions on investing in social care and support down the road, over and over again.

Today was no exception. £12 per hour aspired to, but only for those working with adults. A delivery timetable on pay promised, with no clear dates. No indication of how hoped-for investment in frontline staff will support career progression for good people doing good and essential work to support our neighbours, our families, our friends.

The Scottish Government keeps telling us there is no money to meet their own commitment to Fair Work in Social Care – to close the outrageous 20% pay gap between NHS support workers and third sector social care support workers who are starting out in their career. But I would note that we often hear this in the same breath as money is magically found for other sectors, often in the face of actual or threatened strike action.

So, again, staff in social care fall behind. And providers struggle to recruit. And they struggle to keep staff who need to make ends meet for their own families. And politicians wonder why Scotland faces persistent health inequalities, under-attainment, poverty, unbearable pressure on our NHS….

So, this is our call to this government: Value social care’s contribution to the people and the economy of Scotland. Pay all staff properly and fairly for the work they do. Stop skewing the health and social care labour market by knowingly baking in inequities. And stop expecting charitable providers to shoulder the financial consequences of poorly thought-out and implemented national policy on social care investment.

Our First Minister could start by doing this in three, practical steps:

  1. Implement a Scottish Social Care Living Wage right now by committing to a 2023-24 social care uplift for ALL staff, to an hourly rate of at least £12.
  2. Pay all uplifts on 100% contract value to ensure employers can invest in all their staff fairly.
  3. Publish a three-year timetable by the next Programme for Government to deliver Fair Work in Social Care through parity of pay and key terms & conditions.

CCPS has detailed to the government repeatedly the unintended consequence of its approach on the future of social care in this country. We hear every day from providers about the truly difficult decisions they are having to make. The days of ‘jam tomorrow’ promises are gone. It really is time to act.

 

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24 March 2023

Vison and priorities for social care: Humza Yousaf responds to our questions

One of the three candidates vying to be Scotland’s next First Minister has outlined his commitments.

Humza Yousaf, one of three candidates competing to be Scotland’s next First Minister and leader of the SNP, has responded to a letter sent by our CEO Rachel Cackett and Board chair Andrea Wood.

In the letter, sent on 7 March, the candidates were asked three questions:

  • Will you commit to our 4 Steps to Fair Work?
  • Will you commit to implement social care reform and meet with us, within your first month in post, to discuss constructive ideas for positive and urgent change?
  • How would you articulate your own vision for social care reform in Scotland?

In response Mr Yousaf, who has been Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care since 2021, said:

“Thank you for taking the time to contact me as a candidate in the SNP leadership contest and for your patience in waiting for a response.

Currently as Cabinet Secretary of Health and Social Care, the issues you raise are important to me and would continue to be so if elected as First Minister.

There are two key commitments I want to make in regards to the Health and Social Care sector.

We need to make sure that our staff are properly paid – not only to recruit staff but to retain them.

Secondly, we have some reform to do in our NHS which will see as many people as possible treated as close to home as possible, leaving our hospitals available for emergencies only. This means that investment in our Social Care sector is at the heart of NHS reform and for bettering the conditions of work for social care workers.

If we have social care that has the right workforce, that is working for people, then we can stop them from coming in the front door of hospitals or GP practices, but we can also work on stopping the exit block and see people getting out the doors of hospitals as soon as they are fit to do so and back into their community, keeping as close to home as possible.

Therefore, reforming health care and social care has to be at the heart of my leadership. That is why I am passionate about the idea of a National Care Service – although I recognise that current proposals will need amendments, via dialogue with Local Government, Trade Unions, and membership organisations to make sure it works for everyone.

The principle of the National Care Service, where we have fair pay for our social care workers, where we have national collective sectoral bargaining, and where we have ethical commissioning – these markers will solidify a national social care system that is worthy of the name.”

Our letter also argued that a legislative pause could be an opportunity for the new First Minister to look afresh at social care reform based on our model, and to drive forward Fair Work and sustainable funding.

Ash Regan and Kate Forbes have yet to respond.

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14 March 2023

Leadership candidates asked: ‘what is your vision for social care reform in Scotland?’

Our CEO Rachel Cackett and Board chair Andrea Wood have written to Kate Forbes, Ash Regan and Humza Yousaf, the three candidates competing to be Scotland’s next First Minister and leader of the SNP.

Our CEO Rachel Cackett and Board chair Andrea Wood have written to Kate Forbes, Ash Regan and Humza Yousaf, the three candidates competing to be Scotland’s next First Minister and leader of the SNP.Read the letter hereIn the letter the candidates are asked three questions about social care priorities if they become First Minister. The questions are:

• Will you commit to our 4 Steps to Fair Work?

• Will you commit to implement social care reform and meet with us, within your first month in post, to discuss constructive ideas for positive and urgent change?

• How would you articulate your own vision for social care reform in Scotland?

The letter also outlines why a legislative pause could be an opportunity for the new First Minister to look afresh at social care reform based on our model, and to drive forward Fair Work and sustainable funding.

When we receive responses from the candidates, we plan to share them with members and through our public communications channels.

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13 March 2023

CCPS boosts team with Head of Communications and Engagement

The Coalition of Care and Support Providers in Scotland (CCPS) has appointed Chris Small to the role of Head of Communications and Engagement.

The Coalition of Care and Support Providers in Scotland (CCPS) has appointed Chris Small to the role of Head of Communications and Engagement. CCPS represents more than 90 not-for-profit social care and support providers who deliver vital services to over 220,000 people and their families across Scotland.

Chris joins CCPS from the national charity, Children in Scotland, where he spent seven years as Communications and Marketing Manager. While with Children in Scotland, Chris led on the organisation’s identity review, rebranding project, and the successful 25 Calls campaign, as well as driving communication around the organisation’s policy priorities.

Chris began his career as a production journalist at The Scotsman and Scotland on Sunday, before taking on the role of Communications Manager for the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland. He also held roles with the University of Edinburgh and the Times Educational Supplement Scotland as well as being web editor at the Scottish Parliament.

In his new role with CCPS Chris will support the Chief Executive and CCPS membership on priority areas including the National Care Service and the cost-of-living crisis. He will also manage a team responsible for engagement with the Scottish Parliament and CCPS Public Affairs as well as membership communication and events. This will include collaborating with communications leads across CCPS’s member network to support shared goals on social care reform.

Chris said: “This is an incredibly important time for Scotland’s social care sector, and I am committed to doing all that I can to promote and safeguard the interests of our members who are responsible for such important work. In my new role I will be working with the team at CCPS to enhance and increase our engagement, visibility and collaboration. We have a great team and I am relishing the opportunity of working with them to support our membership in the crucial months ahead.”

Welcoming Chris’s appointment, Rachel Cackett, Chief Executive at CCPS said: “Chris is a highly experienced communications professional, and I am looking forward to working with him on key areas that are critical to Scotland’s social care sector including Fair Work, the reform agenda and the NCS. We have developed a new model for social care in Scotland and with Chris’s help we will ensure that our partners, stakeholders and others can share our vision for a vibrant and sustainable social care sector in the future.”

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