National Care Service: Factsheet

What the NCS will cost

The most recent financial year that we have full figures for spending on social care in Scotland is 2022 to 2023. In that year, £5.75 billion was spent on social care. This figure includes money spent on providing social care to support older people and disabled people to live well in their communities. It also includes money spent on services for children and families to access essential care and support.

There will be some costs in future years to make the NCS a reality. We expect these to come to around £345 million over the 10 years from 2022 to 2032. This money will provide for a National Board, National Social Work Agency and the NCS Local Boards. This will ensure we deliver a National Care Service that improves quality, fairness and consistency of social care provision across the country.

Benefits of investing in the NCS

We must improve the experience of people who receive care. Improving national standards and ensuring access to complaints processes is key to this. Supporting unpaid carers to protect their health and wellbeing is also important. This includes young carers.

The NCS will help drive improvements in these areas. The NCS has the potential to lead to large benefits for people who access or deliver community health, social work or social care support. This includes unpaid carers.