Tag: funding challenges

The State and Future of Social Work and Social Care Funding in Scotland

Social Work Scotland is a membership organisation which represents social workers and other professionals who lead and support social work across all sectors.

In October 2025, after reports of reductions to SDS personal budgets (options 1 direct payments), Social Work Scotland facilitated two separate surveys for disabled people and carers and social workers.

Survey analysis was completed by Three Sisters Consultancy (disabled people and carers) and Dr Gillian MacIntyre and Dr Ailsa E Stewart (social workers).

In addition, Social Work Scotland are proud to publish a bridging paper collating both perspectives to discuss the state and future of social work and social care in Scotland, and pleased to be able to bring lived experience and workforce voices together.

This report is published alongside two complementary research studies: one capturing the lived experience of people who draw on social work and social care support, and another exploring the experiences of social workers operating within the current system.

Its purpose is to connect these perspectives – to show how funding decisions, governance arrangements, and policy choices shape both what people experience and what practitioners are asked to do.

By bringing lived experience, workforce reality, and financial analysis into the same frame, this paper aims to support informed, constructive discussion about how Scotland can build a more sustainable, rights-based, and trusted system of care and support. It is intended as a contribution to collective problem-solving, not an attribution of blame to individuals or organisations working within significant structural constraints.

For further details on Social Work Scotland visit the organisation’s website  

Report 1: The State and Future of Social Work and Social Care in Scotland Part 1 (written by Laura Kerr, Head of Policy and Workforce, Social Work Scotland)

Report 2: Impacts of SDS budget reductions on social workers – Survey analysis (written by Dr Gillian MacIntyre and Dr Ailsa E Stewart)

Report 3:  Impacts of SDS budget reductions on disabled people and unpaid carers – Survey analysis (written by Rhiann McLean Three Sisters Consultancy)

Report-1_The-State-and-Future-of-Social-Work-and-Social-Care-Funding-in-Scotland-Part-1_Social-Work-Scotland_26.01.26Download

COSLA has responded to Social Work Scotland’s research on The State and Future of Social Work and Social Care Funding in Scotland.

COSLA’s Health & Social Care Spokesperson Councillor Paul Kelly said: “This report serves as a collective call to action for meaningful and sustainable change in social work and social care in Scotland, to deliver the system we aspire to have; one centred around human rights and dignity, where both the people delivering and accessing support feel valued. I offer Local Government’s commitment to work with partners on realising change.

“Scotland’s social work and social care sector faces complex funding, policy and system challenges, and this report makes clear the impacts these can have on people, carers and frontline workers. It is deeply troubling that frontline workers talk about the moral and ethical dilemmas they face as a result of having to balance financial considerations with the care that can be delivered to citizens.

“In collectively considering the reports and working through system challenges, we cannot allow further cuts to be inflicted upon vital social care services at this pivotal time. As it currently stands, the Scottish Budget would represent a further cut to social care funding in Scotland, and risks compounding the very real system pressures which will directly impact people and communities.

“Social work and social care are essential to the fabric of Scottish society. We know that by investing in these services, and by working together to change them for the better, we can make a real difference to people’s lives, to local economies and to our communities.”

COSLA: Scottish Budget is ‘a very poor settlement for local government’

COSLA has written to Shona Robison MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, on behalf of Scottish Local Government after the Scottish Budget which took place on the 13th January 2026.

COSLA Leaders have since met to discuss the 2026/27 Scottish Budget and Local Government Settlement. Our Leaders agreed that this year’s settlement is a very poor settlement for local government which fails to address the dire financial situation of local government.

Further, it was noted that the settlement does not offer the urgent financial support required for social care and social work.

THE LETTER READS:

26-01-16-Cllr-Bell-to-Cabinet-Secretary-LG-SettlementDownload

Two thirds of Scottish hospices making cuts within the next year

New figures from Hospice UK reveal that two thirds of Scottish hospices either have already made cuts or are planning to make cuts within the next year. 

Hospice UK says this reflects severe and unsustainable financial pressures across the hospice sector in Scotland at a time when demand for palliative care is at an all-time high. Hospices have had to make redundancies to both clinical and back-office staff, cut beds and reduce vital community services.

They are struggling to keep pace with rising costs, leaving people at risk of missing out on vital care at the end of life. 

Helen Malo, Senior Policy and Public Affairs Manager for Scotland at Hospice UK said: “Hospices are an essential part of Scotland’s health and care system, easing pressure on the NHS by helping people stay out of hospital and receive expert care in their own communities. These are the services that should be growing to meet rising demand. 

“But years of underfunding have left them stretched to breaking point, with many now being forced to cut services at a time when they’re needed more than ever. Without urgent action, more families will face the end of life without the expert care and compassion they deserve.” 

The figures come as MPs debate amendments to the assisted dying bill today (Tuesday 25 November) including Jackie Baillie’s amendments to assess and mitigate the impact of the Bill on palliative care and create a code of practice for palliative care providers.

These amendments are vital to support hospices and the palliative care sector to be robustly prepared should the Bill become law and to ensure assisted dying is not introduced at the expense of existing palliative and end of life care services. 

Helen Malo said: “Hospice UK has no collective view on whether the law should change on assisted dying, yet we feel it would be a moral and practical failure if a single person in future felt compelled to seek an assisted death due to a lack of available palliative care. Every person in Scotland should be able to access high-quality care and support at the end of life, wherever they live.” 

With the Scottish Budget approaching, Hospice UK is urging the Scottish Government to include dedicated funding for hospices in the 2026/27 budget to protect vital care and support. 

Looking ahead to the Holyrood elections, we’re also calling on the next Scottish Government to make palliative and hospice care a national priority and commit to a long-term plan to reform and invest in palliative and end of life care. 

Jackie Stone, CEO, St Columba’s Hospice Care, said: “Demand for hospice care is rising year after year, yet the funding we rely on continues to fall behind. Hospices are being asked to deliver more complex care for more people, but with resources that are already stretched to breaking point. That gap is simply not sustainable. 

 “Hospice care is not optional; it is a vital part of Scotland’s healthcare system. We need the Scottish Government to recognise the essential role hospices play and to commit to fair, sustainable funding, so that every family can rely on the care and compassion they deserve when it matters most.” 

Jacki Smart, Chair of the Scottish Hospice Leadership Group, said: “Without secure, long-term funding, hospices across Scotland are facing devastating choices – cutting back services, reducing staff, or even turning patients away for the first time. These hospices care for thousands of people every year, offering comfort and dignity at life’s most difficult moments. 

“If funding falls short, families will lose vital support, and pressure on the NHS will grow. Hospices are a lifeline for communities, and we need urgent action to protect them.” 

Hospice UK says that with the right investment, hospices stand ready to help the Scottish Government deliver its long-term ambition to shift more care into communities, providing expert, person-centred care closer to home. 

Strange Town presents HER – a play all parents should see

Leith-based charity Strange Town returns this October with their acclaimed play ‘HER’ a bold and urgent performance about consent, gender inequality, and the pressures young people face today.

Established in 2008 by Steve Small and Ruth Hollyman, Strange Town has spent 17 years creating life-changing arts experiences for young people across Edinburgh.

Long before the groundbreaking series Adolescence hit screens, Strange Town was already producing daring, original theatre in schools, giving pupils their first-ever experience of live performance while opening conversations about difficult topics such as knife crime, mental health, and social pressures.

HER, written by Jennifer Adam and directed by Steve Small, follows HIM and HER, childhood friends who have grown apart by the age of 17.

Loosely reconnecting at high school, they confront the challenges of teenage life, gender inequality, and the truth about consent. Through bold, honest storytelling, the play asks: how can you be the change you want to see in the world when it feels like the world is working against you?

‘This is such an important play — all parents, grandparents, and really anyone who wants to understand the challenges young people face today needs to see it, urgently. Our young people are navigating a world that many older people are completely unaware of and unprepared for.

‘Watching this performance helped me start conversations at home that I wouldn’t have known how to begin, and I am incredibly grateful for that.” — Audience Member

Open to audiences aged 14+, HER runs for two nights: Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd October at 7pm at the Traverse Theatre, 10 Cambridge Street, Edinburgh EH1 2ED

Times: 7pm (approx. 50 minutes)

Tickets: £15/£12/£10 https://www.traverse.co.uk/whats-on/event/her-autumn-25

Strange Town has been hit by the well publicised funding cuts imposed by the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board (EIJB), leaving the future of its Touring Company — which brings bold, original theatre into schools across the city — under threat.

The charity depends on fundraising to sustain accessible arts opportunities for young people who might otherwise miss out.

Local people and businesses who want to help protect this vital work are encouraged to donate online or get in touch to explore other ways of support.   

https://strangetown.org.uk/about-us/donations-info-page/.

Foysol Choudhury MSP calls for pause on mental health service cuts to allow for Strategic Review

Lothians list MSP, Foysol Choudhury, has called for an immediate pause on proposed cuts to vital community mental health services in the city, urging the Edinburgh Integrated Joint Board (EIJB) to undertake a thorough strategic assessment of the city’s mental health provision.

The Labour MSP argues that the current decision-making process lacks the necessary time and consideration to evaluate the long-term impact on those who rely on these essential services.

The call comes in response to proposed cuts, including the potential cancellation of a £188,000 contract with Change Mental Health for the Thriving Spaces and Places initiative leaving 650 people with mental health challenges and mental health illness without support, Foysol Choudhury MSP, emphasised the need for proper planning, engagement with stakeholders, and an evidence-based approach to reforming mental health services in Edinburgh.

Nick Ward, CEO of Change Mental Health, a charity which runs services under the Thriving Spaces and Places initiative, has strongly criticised the approach taken by the EIJB, highlighting the flaws in both the economic and clinical rationale behind the cuts.

He stated: “On economic, clinical, and process grounds, the Edinburgh Integrated Joint Board has approached this all wrong. It’s outrageous and short-sighted that vulnerable people will not be getting the support they need.

“Thrive and the wider Edinburgh third sector recognise the tight budgetary environment and the case for reform. However, this is not about scrapping services entirely. It’s about working together to redesign services that meet the needs of our communities.

“Removing the services will not remove the need and will just shift it to more expensive NHS services. We estimate that the Stafford Centre alone saves the NHS £4 million a year at a cost of only £188,000.

“The decision to remove funding risks undermining the stability and quality of services that so many depend on. It would be devastating to the population of Edinburgh.

“This approach, if carried forward, would leave Edinburgh as an outlier in Western Europe, where other cities continue to support community-based mental health services as an essential part of their healthcare systems.

“We call upon the EIJB and in particular the councillors on it, to reject this self-defeating proposal and instead work collaboratively with the third sector to redesign services to save money and deliver support for our city’s most vulnerable.”

Foysol Choudhury MSP pointed out that the proposal threatens to destabilise key services such as drop-in support, carer services, and veteran support, which have been fundamental in improving the mental health and wellbeing of hundreds of Edinburgh residents.

The lack of consultation and the rushed timeline undermine the collaborative approach that was promised after earlier breakdowns in communication with third-sector partners.

Commenting, Foysol Choudhury MSP said: “This is not just an issue for those directly impacted by these cuts. It is a question of public health, social cohesion, and responsible governance.

“Do Councillors, MSPs, and MPs across Edinburgh fully understand the magnitude of the decisions being made in their names? The risks associated with these cuts are profound, and it is crucial that we pause to reassess the long-term impact on mental health provision and the health system as a whole.”

Foysol Choudhury MSP concluded by calling for urgent engagement with the third sector, health professionals, and local communities to ensure a sustainable and effective redesign of services that meets the needs of the city’s population.

Mr. Choudhury also suggested a full review of the process before any further cuts are made.

MSP Calls for Greater Support and Funding Clarity for Local Community Organisations

Foysol Choudhury MSP Stands with Unsung Community Heroes in Edinburgh

Foysol Choudhury, MSP for Lothian, calls for greater support and funding for local community organisations in Edinburgh, such as the Polish Family Support Centre, following a series of ruthless budget cuts from the Scottish Government.

Foysol Choudhury MSP has issued a heartfelt and urgent appeal for greater support and funding for local community organisations in Edinburgh. During a recent visit to the Polish Family Support Centre, Mr. Choudhury emphasised the critical role these organisations play in encouraging community cohesion and providing essential services to underrepresented groups.

This comes after the Scottish voluntary sector was struck with further budget cuts. The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) have revealed that real-term cuts to public funding have surmounted to over £177m since 2021, where more than 76% of third-sector organisations report financial challenges because of inflation and rising costs.

These cuts are not just numbers; they represent the struggles of countless individuals and families who rely on these vital services.

This situation may only worsen with changes to employers’ National Insurance contributions, imposed by Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves, which could leave the sector with another £75m to find each year.

In his recent visit to the Polish Family Support Centre, Mr. Choudhury witnessed significant challenges due to limited funding and resources.

As a one-stop-shop for all, the Polish Family Support Centre provides a wide range of services, including professional counselling, workshops, and support groups, all aimed at helping Polish families and individuals navigate the complex nature of life in Scotland.

However, the Centre’s ability to expand its reach and impact has been drastically obstructed by financial constraints. According to the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, the Polish Family Support Centre has lost hundreds of thousands in funding, and with over 4,040 yearly sessions in 2023 – an increase of 2,000 from 2018 – it is clear that the Polish Family Support Centre needs further backing.

Other community organisations such as the Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity, Milan SWO, Edinburgh Diwali, the Bihari Community of Scotland, and other third sector organisations are also crying out for support.

Mr. Choudhury’s call to action comes at a time when many third-sector community organisations struggle to secure funding and resources. He has been a vocal advocate for these groups, hosting roundtable discussions at the Scottish Parliament to address the current funding model and barriers to access.

Here, the Scottish Government and other public bodies need to take a fair funding approach, moving to inflation-based settlements of three years or more, which consider costs such as uplifts in the real living wage.

Community organisations, such as the Polish Family Support Centre, continue to exist as a symbol of hope for the people of Edinburgh, driven by a mission to support and empower individuals and families.

Commenting, Foysol Choudhury MSP said: “Community organisations exist as the backbone of our society. They offer vital services, from psychological support to advocacy, yet they remain overlooked and underfunded.

“It is crucial that we recognise their contributions to our community and provide them with the necessary support to continue their work.

“Edinburgh and the rest of Scotland must address the barriers to funding and ensure that smaller community-based organisations have access to the resources they need, as their work is crucial in promoting social inclusion and supporting minority groups.

“I urge everyone from policymakers to residents, to recognise the invaluable work these organisations do. They are not just service providers; they are the heart and soul of our communities.

“By supporting them, we are investing in a more inclusive, compassionate, and resilient society. Let’s come together to ensure that nobody is left behind.”

All Change? Chief Constable announces plans for ‘service transformation’

Chief Constable Jo Farrell gave a wide ranging update on how Police Scotland is delivering for the public during a meeting of the Scottish Police Authority Board yesterday (Thursday 22 February).

The Chief outlined the implications of policing’s budget allocation and discussed necessary criminal justice reform and the need to reset the parameters around Police Scotland’s role in responding to mental health incidents.

CC Farrell also shone a light on policing’s response to serious offences and securing important court outcomes; seizing illegal drugs; road traffic enforcement or picking out the unsung proactive community policing and prevention we know the public values.

The Chief also discussed joint work with the Authority to progress a programme of change across policing in Scotland.

CC Farrell said: “Change can be unsettling but we are building Police Scotland from a position of strength and we must clearly explain the changes to the public – and our officers and staff – so they can be confident in their police service.

“I have asked Deputy Chief Constable Jane Connors to lead our programme of change, focused on delivering service transformation at pace, prioritising the frontline, removing back-office duplication, and creating capacity to deal with new and increasing threats.

“The change programme will inform how we shape, train, enable, equip and deploy our greatest asset – that is our workforce, our officers and staff – to best meet the evolving needs and complexities of our diverse communities at best value.

“Our primary investment will always be in police officers. As Chief Constable, entrusted with significant public funding, I have a duty to ensure I maximise the number of experienced officers available to the frontline through the right investment in non-warranted support.

“So we will carefully examine which roles can and should be done by police staff, enabling a wider range of people access to a policing career and allowing even more of our officers to return to frontline and operational policing roles.

“Our aim is – must be – to bring the frontline of Scottish policing to the strongest position possible within the resources available.

“I think that’s my duty as Chief Constable, I think it is what the Authority would expect and demand. Providing the highest possible level of safety and security with the funding available is what the people and communities of Scotland deserve and would expect.”

WATCH the meeting here