Scotland’s social care system is at a turning point. Demand is rising, needs are becoming more complex and the sector is being asked to do more. Supporting people to live independently. Preventing avoidable hospital admissions. Sustaining communities. All while operating under intense financial pressure. Recent warnings from providers and commentators underline how quickly financial strain translates into service instability, delayed discharge pressures and reduced capacity on the ground.
At the same time the funding debate is no longer only about more money. It is also about how resources flow. The balance between local government and NHS spend. How Health and Social Care Partnerships manage deficit risk. What fair commissioning looks like in practice. Whether multi-year settlements can replace short-term firefighting. Scotland’s ministers and national bodies have been clear that social care reform and sustainability must sit at the heart of the health and social care portfolio. The choices being made now will shape the next decade of social care.
Quality needs to remain non-negotiable. In a stressed system, inspection, improvement support, professional regulation and a rights-based approach are essential. They protect people who draw on care and support – and they sustain public confidence. How can Scotland ensure consistent standards, meaningful outcomes and safe, person-centred practice – particularly while services face workforce gaps, fluctuating capacity and increasing acuity?
Finally, there is the core question of quantity. Do we have enough care – staff, providers, community alternatives, support for unpaid carers – to meet demand? This conference examines whether Scotland is heading for deeper crisis or whether the conditions for renewed confidence can be created through practical decisions on funding, quality and capacity.
The conference will focus on four themes:
Topics to be discussed
Who should attend
This conference is relevant for anyone involved in the planning, organisation or delivery of care services in Scotland. This includes policy makers, care providers, care staff, care giver and care receiver representative groups, regulators, those managing or working in the fields of adult, child, justice, substance misuse and mental health services and health, care and third sector bodies responsible for the provision or commissioning of care services.
Examples of the types of individuals and organisations who should attend include Directors of Business, Operations and Service Delivery, Care, Service and Transformation Programme Managers, Policy and Campaigns Officers, Headteachers, Adult Carer and Quality and Compliance Leads. These come from across local government, further and higher education, schools, community councils, the third and private sectors.
Chief Executive
Coalition of Care and Support Providers in Scotland (CCPS)
Deputy Chief Executive
Carr Gomm
Managing Director - Scotland
Community Integrated Care
Workforce Development Manager
Scottish Social Services Council
Rachel Cackett
Chief Executive
Coalition of Care and Support Providers in Scotland (CCPS)
Rachel Cackett is the Chief Executive of CCPS. She joined CCPS from Samaritans where she had worked as Executive Director for Scotland since January 2020. At Samaritans she worked with volunteers, staff, partners and people with lived experience to build the charity’s Scottish presence, secure a new self-harm strategy, and shape recommendations for suicidal crisis support.
Prior to joining Samaritans, Rachel worked in the Scottish health and care sector for 20 years with campaign and policy roles at Shelter, RVS and the RCN, where she led the organisation’s work on integration, NHS finance and safe staffing legislation.
Paul Marshall
Deputy Chief Executive
Carr Gomm
As a Senior Operations Manager, I am responsible for the overall management of our supported living services in the West of Scotland, with various lead responsibilities for key business areas.
I began working in third sector social care organisations as a support worker in 2002, shortly after moving to Glasgow from England.
Since then, I have worked in various roles, working in and developing new and existing services for all kinds of people.
It matters to me what sort of organisation I work for – and I was delighted to join Carr Gomm in August 2013 as Operations Manager, becoming Senior Operations manager in July 2014.
I’m also very keen to make sure that people can see social care as a brilliant career, and to ensure that we support people in the best way we can. When we do this, we make a huge difference.
Carr Gomm is a great environment to work in. We encourage an open culture where employees can bring new ideas and test new ways of working. I was really pleased to discover this when I first joined the organisation.
Away from work, I like spending time with my family, reading and running.
Anyone who has been to my house for dinner would tell you that I love Indian food – it seems to be all I cook!
Sara Murphy
Managing Director - Scotland
Community Integrated Care
Sara joined Community Integrated Care in January 2023 as Managing Director for Scotland.
Most recently, Sara has held the role of Director of Delivery at Cornerstone, a Scotland-wide social care charity, taking responsibility for all aspects of operations as well as the charity’s organisational Health & Safety function and Quality Improvement team. Sara has previously worked with partners to raise the profile of social care careers and has a strong passion for ensuring colleagues have the best day possible when at work.
Starting her career as a Support Worker, Sara has held a number of roles in both the private and third sector, including as an Operational Manager, Regional Director, and Care Home Manager. Within these, Sara was involved in the planning, design, and operational management of a number of purpose-built specialist services across Scotland.
Having worked in the sector for over 27 years, Sara brings a wealth of experience, holding qualifications in mental health, autism, and business management, and an extensive understanding of the social care landscape in Scotland.
Sara has an 8 year old son who keeps her very busy outside of work! In her spare time, she loves to restore and upcycle old furniture, and enjoys long walks with her dog, Ralphie.
Kristina Robb
Workforce Development Manager
Scottish Social Services Council
I am passionate about providing the very highest standards in the Early Years and Social Care and believe quality education and care is vital to ensure that everyone meets their full potential, now, and in the future. I aim to create a love of learning and a desire for constant knowledge within each practitioner that I work with.
I am an experienced early years lead practitioner with a demonstrated history of working in both early and adult education across public, private and the third sector. I have proven ability to build strong relationships, communicate effectively with stakeholders, identify strategic routes to achievement and lead a motivated team to deliver measurable improvement.
I am interested in academic research with a Master of Education (MEd) focused on Childhood Practice from The University of Glasgow. I have co-written two chapters of an academic textbook published April 2023. Childhood Practice: A reflective and evidence-based approach. https://uk.sagepub.com/en-gb/eur/childhood-practice/book278171
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