Scotland's social care system faces unsustainable strain, with services too often trapped in reactive crisis management rather than preventative support — despite years of significant reform efforts, local government body COSLA has warned.
A new white paper from the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) argues that overly complex structures have undermined local, place-based delivery, and calls for greater investment in community-based services to reduce avoidable crises.
COSLA is urging a whole-system approach that integrates health and social care, upholds human rights, values the workforce, and gives councils the flexibility to respond to local need.
But the organisation emphasises that reform cannot succeed without sustainable funding. It is calling for multi-year settlements, including an additional £750m ringfenced for social care.
COSLA Health and Social Care Spokesperson, Cllr Paul Kelly, said Scotland’s social care system has ‘reached a critical point.’
‘For too long, we have been forced to focus on responding to crises rather than preventing them. This white paper sets out a clear and practical path to change – one that puts prevention at the heart of how we support people and communities,’ he said.
‘Local Government is ready to lead this shift. We know that prevention works best when it is rooted in communities, backed by a skilled workforce, and supported by sustainable, long-term investment.’
He added: ‘With the right powers, trust and resources, we can redesign services to better meet people’s needs, reduce pressures across the system, and ensure everyone can live with dignity and independence.’
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