The National Care Service: Where are we now?
Over summer, SASW spoke with members about the National Care Service Bill following its publication by the Scottish Government on 20 June. We heard your views, concerns and questions on the proposals, which stand to have significant implications for the future of social work.
What stage is the Bill at now?
We’re still at stage one. The closing date for feedback to the parliamentary committees examining the Bill was 2 September. Read the published responses here.
Since then, the committees have been reading the written evidence in private and agreeing a timetable for hearing in-person oral evidence.
The oral evidence sessions started this week. Find out what was said below.
Health, Social Care and Sport Committee
Finance and Public Administration Committee
SASW has so far been called by two committees to give oral evidence in November. We will keep you informed of details of these sessions once publicly available.
The parliamentary bureau has set a deadline of 17 March for the committees to publish their report on the Bill based on the evidence they gather. The Bill will then be debated by all MSPs in the chamber and a vote will be taken to determine whether it should move to stage two. MSPs will be voting on whether to accept the general principles of the Bill.
What happens at stage two?
Since the Scottish Government has a working parliamentary majority, we presume the Bill will proceed to stage two.
MSPs can lodge amendments to the Bill at this point. The Health, Social Care and Sport Committee will then examine all proposed amendments and vote on whether to approve each of them or not. A new, more detailed version of the Bill will then be ready for stage three.
What work is SASW doing?
We’re continuing to speak to MSPs from all parties to inform them of our position on the Bill. Read our position statement here. We have outlined in our position paper how we think the Bill should be changed.
This position was formed on the back of our more detailed written to submission to the parliamentary committees based on the feedback we gathered from members over the summer.
Our intention when speaking to MSPs is to influence them to propose amendments to the Bill at stage two. This is the earliest point that the Bill can be changed.
We also continue to engage constructively with the Scottish Government on the co-design process.
How can you get involved?
Please keep sharing your feedback with us. Our work to shape this Bill is informed by your views. Contact jonny.adamson@basw.co.uk or anne-marie.monaghan@basw.co.uk with your comments.
You can keep up-to-date with all NCS developments in our hub. You will find a copy of the Bill and accompanying documents there too.