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Care home staff numbers increase after record low |
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The number of staff in Scotland’s care homes has risen, after reaching a record low last year.
The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) report on 2024 workforce data shows an additional 1,900 staff were employed in adult care homes compared to the year before.
This represents a 3.9% headcount increase from 2023 – when the number of care home staff in Scotland fell to its lowest ever level on record.
A majority (95%) of these new staff members are employed in privately run adult care homes, according to the data.
Scottish Care, which represents the independent social care sector, said it welcomes any indication of growth in the social care workforce – but that this must be put in context.
A spokesperson said:
“The reduction of 24 care homes during the same period highlights the ongoing pressures facing the sector, including financial sustainability, workforce retention and service viability.
“While some may have seen a slight easing in recruitment challenges, many providers continue to struggle with high vacancy rates, staff burnout, and difficulties in attracting new entrants to the sector.
“The increase in workforce numbers may reflect short-term gains or shifts in employment patterns, but it does not yet signal a sustained or sector wide recovery.”
Scottish Care has also raised concerns around recent changes to UK visa rules, which it says pose a “serious risk” to service sustainability, particularly in rural and remote communities.
SSSC figures show Highland has experienced the biggest fall of any area of Scotland in the number of local social services staff over the last 10 years.
There are now around 670 fewer workers, most of whom had been employed in adult social care services, than there were in 2015.
Despite the number of childminders and care at home staff falling across Scotland between 2023 and 2024, the SSSC says there is again a record number of staff employed in social services across the country.
SSSC Chief Executive, Maree Allison, said the report demonstrates the important economic and social contribution of jobs across the sector:
“With around one in every 12 jobs being in social services, it’s clear that it offers jobs and career opportunities in a wide range of roles for people with the right values who want to make a difference.”
Read more: New visa rules could wipe out entire care teams; The in-between: what’s happened to social care reform?
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