 What we've been up to
- Busy week for committees in the Scottish Parliament as Gareth Adam-Hammond on behalf of the Care Inspectorate took part in the panel discussion with the Health, Care and Sport Committee
- Interesting discussions and evidence also heard during the Education, Equalities, and Public Service Reform committees
Alzheimer's/Dementia
Evaluation of Post-Diagnostic Support for people diagnosed with dementia
The final report of an independent evaluation of the impacts of Post Diagnostic Support (PDS) for people across Scotland who have been diagnosed with dementia has been published by the Scottish Government. PDS is a programme of support for people newly diagnosed with dementia to help them understand their condition, plan for the future and stay well for as long as possible, and the aim is for everyone newly diagnosed with dementia in Scotland to receive a minimum of 12 months of PDS. Key findings include that only half (50%) of people estimated to be newly diagnosed were referred for PDS, and that people living with dementia commonly experienced long waiting times between diagnosis and starting PDS. Recommendations for improvement include greater flexibility, addressing waiting times, strengthening community groups, and improving available data.
Care homes/Care at Home
Care Home Improvement Programme - Applications now open
We are inviting care homes for adults and older people in the Dumfries and Galloway, and Scottish Borders areas to apply for the fourth cohort of the Care Home Improvement Programme (CHIP). Participants will undertake an improvement project during the programme, to support improvement in an area that will make a positive impact in their care home, and will be allocated an improvement adviser who will provide dedicated support throughout the programme.
Disability
Legislation on learning disability not to go ahead
Learning Disability Today reports that the proposed Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence (LDAN) Bill will not go ahead, and the Scottish Government will focus on policy reform, service improvement and targeted investment. The Scottish Government's Minister for Mental Wellbeing, Public Health, Sport, Alcohol and Drugs has written to the Health, Care and Sport Committee confirming legislation will not be taken forward but also outlining work already underway.
Report from Scotland’s first Disabled People’s Cabinet Forum
The Scottish Government has published a report from Scotland’s first Disabled People’s Cabinet Forum, highlighting barriers, lived experience and priorities for system change. Themes which workshops identify include how uncertainty, delays, and inconsistent access to services profoundly affect mental health, a gap between national ambitions for social care and the lived reality of delivery at local level, and difficulty navigating complex, fragmented systems involving multiple agencies and inconsistent processes. The insights reportedly now provide a clear evidence base to shape future action, support accountability, and guide the next phase of the Disability Equality Plan and the upcoming Executive Team Forum.
Justice
The Scottish Government has published 'Justice Social Work: national practice standards and outcomes', an over-arching document which provides a clear framework of professional accountability that will stand up to scrutiny and provide assurance of the agreed principles of practice and is intended to complement current practice guidance. Justice social work (JSW) practitioners will find this of benefit to their day-to-day practice offering a clear outline of expected practice in JSW and the intended outcomes from interventions, and partner agencies, those within and impacted by the justice system and key stakeholders can also use the document as a point of reference of agreed practice standards across JSW. The Care Inspectorate is listed as part of the reference group which collaborated on the drafting.
Mental Health
Statistics on emergency detention certificates without mental health officer consent
The Mental Welfare Commission has published 'Emergency detention certificates without mental health officer consent', and annual statistical report which includes data on mental health officer (MHO) consent to emergency detention certificates (EDCs). Amongst other finding, the proportion of EDCs authorised with the consent of a MHO has fallen to 38.6%, down from 56.0% in 2014-15, which reportedly "marks a decade of decline in an important safeguard intended to protect the rights and liberty of individuals detained under mental health legislation."
Workforce
Social service workforce data report
The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) has published 'The Scottish Social Service Sector: Report on 2025 Workforce Data', illustrating the paid social service workforce in Scotland at the end of 2025. Key points from the report include:
- The Scottish social service workforce reached its highest level yet in 2025, at 215,890 and the workforce increased by around 1,140 staff, or 0.5%, from 2024
- The private sector employed the largest share of the workforce, rising to 42% in 2025
- The total number of direct care staff increased by 16.5% since 2016, due to growth in two of the largest sub-sectors: housing support/care at home and day care of children
Other Health and Social Care
Evidence to Health, Care and Sport Committee
Gareth Adam-Hammond, Chief Inspector (Registration and Complaints), has taken part in a wide-ranging panel discussion with the Health, Care and Sport Committee in the Scottish Parliament. The conversation was largely focused on proposed health and social care reform, with questions also touching on funding, inspection and complaints, and workforce and demographic challenges.
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