Charities unite in move to grow frontline social care provision in Scotland

Two of Scotland’s leading disability charities are joining together in a move they say will protect and grow frontline social care services across Scotland.

ENABLE Scotland and Sense Scotland have launched an innovative Group structure, thought to be the first of its kind in the charity sector in Scotland, in order to ‘accelerate change in improving the lives of disabled people and the dedicated staff who care for them’.

The charities suggest the collaboration, which will take up to a year to fully implement, can deliver substantial savings and efficiencies which will be re-invested in frontline services. The venture will see both charities pool innovation, property and resources in an overarching Group structure with the aim of helping more disabled people throughout Scotland.

While all frontline jobs will be protected and there are concerns over some ‘back office’ roles. The charities say support will be offered to a ‘small minority of affected back office staff to explore alternative career options across both organisations’.

Both ENABLE Scotland and Sense Scotland will retain their individual identities and relationships with families, disabled people and supporters, as well as their CEOs.

In a joint statement Andy Kerr, chief executive of Sense Scotland and Theresa Shearer, chief executive of ENABLE Scotland (pictured), said: “ENABLE Scotland and Sense Scotland are joining together to further boost the quality of care and help for more disabled people.

“Our shared vision is delivering the support needed for disabled people to live the lives they choose, in their own homes and local communities. By bringing two strong charities together, we will accelerate change and improvement for disabled people, and for the dedicated staff who care for them.

“Ultimately, we are doing this to help share the cost of continuing to deliver quality care and support to those who need it in their own homes.”

The charities have described the move as a proactive and innovative response to the challenging conditions facing families and organisations operating in the social care sector in Scotland.

According to Kerr and Shearer, approaches from other organisations who may wish to join the Group are being welcomed and would be seen as an opportunity to further strengthen the Group’s ability to deliver quality frontline support to those who need it.

ENABLE Scotland and Sense Scotland are working with their recognised Trade Unions during the process.