Publication: Sustainability of adult social care - Audit scope

Adult social care in Scotland is a crucial service that helps people get the support they need to live as independently and comfortably as possible. These services are facing significant pressures, with key risks including rising demand, a severe workforce shortage, record-high waiting lists for assessments and unsustainable financial pressures on Integration Joint Boards and Councils. The sustainability of social care services is threatened by a reliance on short-term funding, high staff turnover and service rationing.

This audit aims to explore the main pressures facing the adult social care system, how well the resources for the adult social care system are being managed, how services are being reformed to ensure these remain sustainable and to make recommendations for improvement. We will also aim to highlight any areas of good practice that can be shared with the wider sector.