Many powerful people are now wanting to ensure that the social care workforce is recognised with and alongside the NHS, with more than warm words and applause, for the long term, not just 15 minutes of fame. parity of decent work pay, terms and conditions with NHS and/or local government, for the workforce dealing with those people who have long been ignored and overlooked. It has taken this crisis for the system as we know it, and the plans to reform it, to be made so urgent and significant. This is a challenge to funders, to commissioners, to suppliers of care.

Possibilities and priorities for change in the Scottish social care sector for ‘more decent work’ will be the outcome, based on a systematic exploration of recent experience.

We know that many agencies, employers and bodies are focussing on the sector right now, seeking a concerted effort for sustainable solutions that go beyond short-term fixes as national programmes of reform are conceived and implemented. The front line voice can inform and influence the this.

We intend to report on a range of recommendations, primarily focussed on Scotland but also of relevance for the debate across the UK.