Health and Social Care

The Crucial Role of the Independent Sector

April 27, 2015 by Linda White No Comments | Category Uncategorized

The independent sector, supported by Scottish Care, provides approximately 85% of care home places and 50% of home care hours across Scotland. Aside from the sheer levels of care and support provision that the sector provides, the independent sector offers a wide range of knowledge and skills which makes it a crucial partner in integration arrangements.

With statutory partners continuing to divest their direct provision in social care, partnership with the independent sector provides a real opportunity for maximising resource use and allowing the sustained investment required to deliver innovative, quality services and improved outcomes.  The sector’s full participation in strategic planning will result in the most effective local proposals to deliver positive outcomes – both for integration itself and for the health, wellbeing and lives of local people.

As health and social care integration progresses it will be necessary for partnerships to continue to engage with Scottish Care, yet they must also commit to identifying local representatives.  This can be done by making use of existing forums, but the participation of social care providers is of equal importance to the involvement of people who access services.  Indeed, it is impossible to plan, develop and deliver efficient and effective care and support services without the central involvement of the majority provider of these services in Scotland and without utilising the capacity, skillset, resources and flexibility that this sector can offer to local partnerships.

The independent sector is enthusiastic about being a positive partner in integration arrangements and has demonstrated its ability to be a responsible partner through the Reshaping Care for Older People programme and the Change Fund.  This partnership has been valued by other sectors at a local level and progress, continuity and opportunities have resulted from these constructive working relationships.

If partnerships need support in identifying their local independent sector contacts or want to discuss the role of the sector in more detail, please do get in contact with us.

Scottish Care is the representative body for the independent sector of social care provision in Scotland, encompassing private and voluntary providers of care home, care at home and housing support services. We are committed to supporting a quality-orientated sector that offers real choice and value for money. Our aim is to create an environment in which care providers can deliver and develop the high quality care that communities require and deserve.

Tags: Independent Sector, Integration, Scottish Care, Stakeholders

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