(Please note: the consultation is currently expected to close on the 16th of October, 2020.)

The aim of the Social Justice and Fairness Commission is to deliver a route map to the real prize of independence. That prize is a fairer Scotland that values and cares for everyone who lives here, from baby box to grave, and in which everyone can fully participate and have the opportunities they need to flourish.

We have published a discussion paper ‘Reform of Social Care’. Feedback can be emailed to: consultation@socialjustice.scot or you can respond to the questions via the forms below.

"Reform of Social Care" Discussion Paper

We are interested in your views on all of these issues, and some broad questions, which are listed below.

Principles

  • What should be the key guiding principles of our social care system?
  • Do you support the values and purpose contained in the consultation paper?
  • How should the social care system promote and deliver these?

Public/private/third sector balance

  • Should the public sector take a more leading role in the social care system, especially sectors such as residential care?
  • What role should be played in the provision of social care by third sector initiatives, i.e. charities and non-profit organisations? Should the private sector continue to have a role in the delivery of care services in the future?

Structural reform and new models

  • Do you support the concept of a National Care Service for Scotland?
  • What role should the Scottish Government, NHS, local government and not for profit third sector bodies have in the delivery of a National Care Service?
  • What do you think of the concept of a National Commissioning Model for a National Care Service as described in the paper, similar to that operating in the NHS?
  • What changes would be required to ensure that quality not price is paramount in the commissioning/tendering processes?
  • What do you think of the concept of blended care with different care settings being co-located in a care hub or village?
  • How do we better attract people to work in the care sector and improve career progression for those working in care?

Additional funding

  • Should there be additional investment in care? If so, in order to invest additional funds in Scotland’s social care system, which of the following options for sourcing additional funding would you prefer:
  • An increase in one of the taxes that currently exist (e.g. National Insurance or Income Tax)?
  • A new tax ring-fenced (hypothecated) for the sole purpose of funding the social care system?
  • The introduction of a social insurance system, contributions to which are split between you and your employer (as with pension insurance)?
  • What powers, if any, which are currently reserved, do you think are required by the Scottish Government in order to deliver new funding models for care?

The Commission would like your views on the above questions, and any other issues you think are vital in considering the reform of our social care system.