National Care Service - social care support and service provision: evidence

6. Conclusion

This paper summarises the key trends in social care services and support in Scotland over the last decade or so, in order to support the development of the National Care Service.

It can be seen that, while the number of people receiving care at home has fallen over the last 10 years, the number of hours of care at home provision has increased over the same time period. This may suggest that resources have become more focused on those in greatest need. Over the same time period, Local Authority/Health and Social Care Partnership/NHS Boards have been increasingly purchasing social care and support services from the private and voluntary sectors.

The number of care homes has fallen by 20% over the last 10 years, with the number of registered places falling by 5%. Proportionally, more people with support needs are living at home.

In 2020/21, 84.4% of people receiving social care support and services were provided with Self-directed Support, up from 77.1% in 2017/18.

The trends in social care provision outlined in this paper are, along with demographic factors, key considerations in the development of a National Care Service.