Lucy Wren, our Chief Executive, has signed a joint-letter to the First Minister calling on him to increase pay for social care staff. Andrew Thomson, Deputy Chief Executive, reflects on why Carr Gomm is joining over 100 other organisations to call for change.
“Equality, Opportunity and Community.”
The stated priorities of the First Minister upon taking office. One opportunity to turn such priorities into reality is through the Scottish Government’s setting of the Adult Social Care Wage. From April 2024, the Government has set this wage at £12/hr.
The Government sets the wage; COSLA members agree the funding; and charities like Carr Gomm receive the minimum uplift in our contractual income to enact their decision.
Highly skilled, qualified, and professionally registered practitioners support people and families to thrive in communities throughout Scotland. Support practitioners provide essential public services, and their expertise in supporting our most vulnerable citizens should be reflected in their remuneration.
I call upon the Scottish Government, and all MSPs, to work together to deliver the First Minister’s priorities of “Equality, Opportunity and Community” in the next budget, and that means a significant improvement to the Adult Social Care Wage.
Read the joint statement on the Coalition of Care & Support Providers in Scotland website (PDF)
