Scottish Parliament Approves Scaled-Back Social Care Reforms

The Scottish Parliament has passed the Care Reform (Scotland) Bill, a scaled-back version of earlier plans for a National Care Service which were scrapped due to opposition from various political parties, local authorities, and trade unions. Key provisions include establishing a legal right for unpaid carers to receive breaks, with councils required to assess and provide support such as funding for respite care, benefiting Scotland's approximately 700,000 unpaid carers. The bill also enshrines Anne's Law, allowing care home residents to have visits from a named loved one, and aims to improve information sharing across care settings and strengthen oversight of care providers. Additional measures include enhancing access to independent advocacy and creating a National Chief Social Work Adviser role to provide leadership within the sector. While the National Care Service proposal was abandoned, the bill represents important but less extensive reforms focused on improving social care quality and consistency across Scotland. The Scottish Government emphasizes ongoing investment and reform efforts despite challenges such as recent UK Government policy changes impacting care delivery.