Tuesday April 28th 2026
COSLA offices, Edinburgh
Written by Glasgow View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Today, Local Government leaders have issued a clear call for change with the publication of a new white paper, A Social Care System Built on Prevention, part of a wider series being launched in advance of the Scottish Parliament election.
Scotland’s social care system is under growing and unsustainable strain, with services too often forced into reactive crisis management rather than proactive, preventative support.
The paper outlines the need for a decisive shift toward prevention and early intervention – ensuring people across Scotland can live well, independently, and with dignity in their own communities.
Nearly 15 years on from the Christie Commission, the report highlights that prevention remains insufficiently embedded in Scotland’s public services. Despite significant reform efforts, overly complex structures have too often failed to empower local, place-based delivery where it matters most.
At the heart of the paper is a clear message: properly resourced social care is the foundation of prevention. Investment in community-based services can reduce avoidable crises by strengthening connections between health, housing, families, and local support networks.
COSLA’s vision sets out a whole-system approach to reform – one that integrates health and social care, embeds human rights, values the workforce, and enables the flexibility councils need to respond to local circumstances.
However, the paper warns that current funding approaches are undermining progress. Short-term, ring-fenced funding limits the ability to plan and invest in long-term preventative solutions. COSLA is therefore calling for fair, multi-year funding settlements, including an additional £750 million for social care, to address unmet need and support meaningful service redesign.
The report also underscores that prevention works best when delivered close to home. Empowered Local Government can provide community-based support, innovative housing solutions, and ethical, inclusive digital care tailored to local needs.
A skilled and supported workforce is critical to this vision. The paper highlights the importance of ensuring staff have the time, capacity, and support to intervene early and build trusted relationships with those they serve.
COSLA Health and Social Care Spokesperson, Cllr Paul Kelly, said:
“Scotland’s social care system has reached a critical point. For too long, we have been forced to focus on responding to crises rather than preventing them. This white paper sets out a clear and practical path to change – one that puts prevention at the heart of how we support people and communities.
“Local Government is ready to lead this shift. We know that prevention works best when it is rooted in communities, backed by a skilled workforce, and supported by sustainable, long-term investment. With the right powers, trust and resources, we can redesign services to better meet people’s needs, reduce pressures across the system, and ensure everyone can live with dignity and independence.”
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