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Funding to support social services workforce.

Funding of £1.1 million will help support social services staff across Scotland who care for the most vulnerable people in society, the Children’s Minister announced today.

The Scottish Government funding will benefit more than 1,000 employees across 80 different charities that provide housing support and care at home services.

The money will allow staff to complete qualifications needed for registration with the workforce’s national regulator, the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), and will ensure staff have the skills to provide the best possible services.

Minister for Children and Young People Aileen Campbell said:

“Social care is a vital public service, protecting the most vulnerable people in our society. Having a skilled and valued workforce is crucial to ensuring individuals and families get the support they need. 

“I’m pleased we’ve been able to support charities through the Voluntary Sector Development Fund since 2003 to ensure a competent, confident, and valued social services workforce in Scotland.

“Social services staff across the country will feel a real benefit of this investment as training will increase the quality of social care and provide better care for family members and loved-ones.”

Notes To Editors

The criterion for applications is set by the Scottish Government in partnership with the Scottish Social Services Council and the Coalition of Care and Support Providers in Scotland.

The fund is intended to aid voluntary organisations, particularly small-medium sized organisations, to ensure that staff meet the registration requirements set by the Scottish Social Services Council. The funding can be used directly to fund or support new training and development needs associated with meeting the requirements for registration with the SSSC.

As well as its regulatory role, the SSSC is the Sector Skills Council for the social services workforce and has a key workforce development role, supporting employers and staff across the 190,000 workforce that makes up the sector in Scotland.