Local authorities in Scotland increase social work spending by 10% over decade

By The Press Association12th October 2016News ScotlandAdult Care, Childrens Services, Local Authorities, News Scotland, Social Work

Councils are spending 10% more on social work services than almost a decade ago, with expenditure on helping vulnerable youngsters and their families increasing by more than a fifth.

Spending by local authorities was just over £3.8 billion in 2014-15, compared to just under £3.5 billion in 2006-07.

The figures from the Care Inspectorate show as part of that, there was a 22% increase in spending on social work services for children and families, going from £697.2 million in 2005-06 to £853.6 million in 2014-15.

While spending on social work services for the elderly, addicts and those with learning difficulties all increased over the 10-year period, there was a 12% drop in local authority social work expenditure on mental health.

That went from £174.8 million in 2005-06 to £154.1 million in 2014-15.

Services for older people form the largest part of social work expenditure, with the total for this rising 14% from just under £1.5 billion to slightly less than £1.7 billion over the period.

There was a 20% increase in spending on social work for those with learning difficulties, up from £562.2 million in 2005-06 to £673.2 million in 2014-15.

Addiction services saw spending go from £44.2 million to £68.8 million – a 56% increase over the period.

Karen Reid (pictured), chief executive of the Care Inspectorate, said: “Social work plays a vital role in supporting vulnerable people to live fulfilled, independent lives. We hope these figures will enable each area to gain an understanding of their social work spending and activities, and of the national picture.”

She added: “There is certainly not an automatic link between spend and quality. The Care Inspectorate leads joint inspections of services for children and, with Healthcare Improvement Scotland, for older people. It is those inspections, rather than statistics, which really tell the story of how well local agencies are working together to improve outcomes for people.”

The figures were published at a time when there is more integration than ever before between health and social care services and spending.

Ms Reid added: “This is a time of significant change and I hope this data will be useful for integration joint boards as they start planning how to integrate social care and health, so services are commissioned strategically.”