National Care Service - adult social care: equality evidence review

12. Conclusion

The previous sections provide an overview of evidence on equality in social care in Scotland. It focuses on groups with protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010, as well as those who experience socio-economic disadvantage, and brings together key data sources and national statistics, where these are available. It also draws on other national evidence to provide insights into variations in usage and experiences for those groups with protected characteristics and those who experience socioeconomic disadvantage. It has been structured in relation to the experiences of people who access social care, unpaid carers, and social care workers separately, although it has been noted that these are not distinct groups in practice. It should also be noted that there are intersecting inequalities, resulting in multiple and compounding inequality for particular groups^[126]. For example, age, gender and deprivation intersect to disadvantage particular groups of young carers.

Importantly, people who access social care, unpaid carers and those who work in the social care sector have been directly and indirectly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and mitigation measures. In particular, care home residents, the majority of whom are older people with long term conditions, are at higher risk of Covid-19 morbidity and mortality^[127]. Visiting restrictions in care homes during the pandemic have adversely impacted the health and wellbeing of residents and their loved ones^[128], and created additional challenges for care home staff^[129]. Unpaid carers and people who receive care at home and housing support have also been adversely impacted by the suspension of services and disruption to daily activities during the pandemic^[130]. More broadly, it has been widely recognised that the impact of the pandemic has not affected everyone equally. Some groups have been particularly disadvantaged, including: people who are socio-economically disadvantaged; young people, older people; disabled people; people who had been advised to shield; and people from a minority ethnic background^[131].

The data and evidence presented here highlights that people who access social care, unpaid carers, and social care workers are diverse groups with a broad range of needs and experiences. It also highlights that inequalities are intersectional, resulting in multiple and compounding inequalities for particular groups.

The data and evidence presented here provides insight into key equalities issues in social care in Scotland. Planning for a National Care Service will require understanding of equalities issues in social care and engagement with the diverse needs and experiences of people who access social care, unpaid carers and people who work in social care.

How to access background or source data:

☒ may be made available on request, subject to consideration of legal and ethical factors. Please contact SWstat@gov.scot for further information.