Scottish Government
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Training support for Social Services workforce

Nearly 100 groups to benefit from £966,000 third-sector skills development fund.

Funding of more than £950,000 is being allocated to help Scotland’s care providers to meet their workforce qualification requirements.

Minister for Children & Young People Aileen Campbell confirmed that 98 voluntary sector care providers would share the investment to support delivery of a competent, confident, and valued social services workforce.

Staff across a broad range of specialist providers, particularly small-medium sized organisations, will be among those from local and national care charities who will benefit from the funding which allows them to undertake the qualifications required for registration with the workforce’s national regulator, the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).

The Minister said:

“A valued and competent social services workforce makes a significant difference to people who use support services, their carers and our communities. We are committed to working with a range of stakeholders to ensure that staff are qualified, appropriately skilled and able to achieve their full potential.

“The Voluntary Sector Development Fund has provided around £1 million a year since 2003 and we remain committed to it as our drive continues towards a fully qualified social services workforce in Scotland.

“The fund makes an important contribution to the delivery of personalised, flexible, high quality services and is part of a range of investment by Scottish Government in this critical workforce.

“People across the country stand to feel the positive impact of this investment as training will mean better care for family members, friends and loved-ones.”

Over the coming 18 months, the Scottish Government awards totalling £966,188 will ensure that supervisors and support workers in care at home and housing support services can meet the standards needed to register for their profession.

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 workforce and has a key workforce development role, supporting employers and staff across the 191,000 workforce that makes up the sector in Scotland.

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