Report: What do we know about the voluntary sector social services workforce?

A guide for voluntary sector social service organisations

29 July 2010

This report examines the current composition of the voluntary sector social services workforce, which makes up just under one third of all social services workers in Scotland.  It presents a profile of the workforce, looking at:

• the definition of voluntary sector social services;
• numbers of services;
• small and medium sized organisations;
• the size and characteristics of the workforce;
• recruitment and turnover; and

• staffing patterns.

It also explores key workforce issues which influence the development of the voluntary sector social services workforce, focusing on:

• skills and qualifications;
• the Sector Skills Assessment;
• workforce planning; funding;
• the impact of the Local Government Concordat and the removal of ring-fenced funding;
• the impact of Single Outcome Agreements;
• the Voluntary Sector Development Fund;
• re-tendering of social care services; and

• Care Commission regulation and inspections.

It also considers the potential impact of future demographic change on social service provision in Scotland, and assesses possible directions for future social service policy.

Available on the internet at: http://www.ccpscotland.org/assets/files/vssswu/Briefings/FinalJuly2010whatdoweknow.pdf