Evidence library

The annual survey of care and support providers across Scotland presents a snapshot of key indicators in the sector, including levels of optimism, income and sustainability, and workforce. Optimism levels are at a historic low due to a complex range of challenges and uncertainty facing the sector, with sustainability of services an enormous challenge for many. The dramatic increase in recruitment and retention difficulties continues to reverberate, with few services immune to the impact.

43 organisations completed the 2021 survey, of which 42 are CCPS members. The organisations represented in the survey manage a combined total annual income of more than £700 million, employ more than 25,000 people and support more than 120,000 people.

Key findings

OPTIMISM Levels of optimism continue to trend downward, with 60% of respondents reporting that they are less optimistic about the general business situation in the sector. The principle reasons for the lack of optimism are spread across three main themes:

1. workforce challenges, including recruitment and retention and the erosion of differentials caused by the £10.02 and further wage uplifts for the adult care sector;
2. uncertainty over the National Care Service proposals; and
3. current high levels of inflation

INCOME AND INFLATION The percentage of respondents reporting that their income had increased climbed slightly in 2021 compared to the previous year (from 43% in 2020 to 48% in 2021). However "a different combination of the numbers shows that nearly three quarters of respondents (74%) reported decreased, static, or only slight increases in income. In the latter case (21% reported 1-5% increases) nearly all noted that the increase did not fully cover additional costs incurred in response to the pandemic, in particular the cost of dealing with the recruitment and retention crisis, and growing inflation pressure."

COSTS: We continue to monitor the impact of Covid-19 on costs, and as with last year, nearly 70% of respondents reported increased costs as a result of the pandemic, with more than 25% reporting increases above 6%.

LIVING WAGE: 65% of respondents reported that the SLW was completely covered in all Local Authority areas. This is an improvement over past years, possibly supported by the national agreement on implementation. However, a significant minority of respondents, 35% continue to report that this national policy is not being implemented consistently across all local authority areas.

SUSTAINABILITY: 58% of respondents reported that 75%-1000% of their services were funded sustainably. 42% report sustainability concerns for up to 75% of their services.

More than 55% of respondents report abstaining or withdrawing during the past year. The two main reasons for these decisions were: 1) uneconomical hourly rates or funding levels; and 2) staff shortages.

WORKFORCE & RECRUITMENT: for the first time 100% of respondents report difficulty with recruitment. And we have the highest number of respondents (64%) since the beginning of the survey reporting a lot of difficulty with recruitment, with the remaining 36% reporting some difficulty.