SERVICES are approaching the point of no return as Scotland’s social care crisis continues to bite, according to Unite.

The stark warning comes today as the union launches its campaign to restore a sector that stands on the brink after years of cuts, spiralling demand and labour shortages.

Writing to SNP Social Care Minister Tom Arthur, the union has set out its demands to turn the situation around, including pay that is reflective of social care workers’ essential role, a real-terms increase in funding for social care and having workers at the table to help plan the sector’s future.

Stirling social care practitioner Kenny, who only gave his first name, said: “The people we work with often need months of one-to-one interaction to develop the personal connections required of our role.

“Unskilled wages in a challenging role leads to high turnover and difficulty in recruiting. This often leaves the people we are there to help getting distressed and not getting the support society and the Scottish government says they should get. 

“The Scottish government know this. Knowing it and doing nothing about it means they are content with the situation, which is unacceptable.”

Shauna Wright, Unite’s lead officer for social care in Scotland, said: “Social care workers need a wage that is reflective of the professional role that they do and they need it now.

“Workers and care users are being put at risk due to chronic underfunding, which also impacts on the desire of professional workers to enter into the social care sector due to the lack of funding and financial insecurity.”

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham warned: “There is a social care crisis in Scotland. 

“It is getting to the point of no return whereby social care provision could become irreparably broken.”

In response, a Scottish government spokesperson pointed the finger at Westminster. They said: “Funding of health and social care is at a record level. Our 2025-26 budget is investing £21.7 billion.

“This includes almost £2.2bn investment for social care and integration, delivering on our commitment to increase social care spending by 25 per cent over this parliament, two years ahead of schedule.

“Many of the external pressures facing the sector are a result of UK government decisions, including increasingly restrictive migration policies and increases to national insurance contributions which are set to cost the social care sector at least £84 million.”