THE Scottish government will cover the cost of disclosure checks for social care workers from August in a bid to tackle labour shortages in the sector.

It will pick up the cost of Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Disclosure Scotland background checks, which range from £18 to £59, for adult social care workers in commissioned services in the private, voluntary and independent sectors.

Announcing the policy, which was last trialled for between October 2022 and March 2023, Care Minister Alison Thewliss said: “Social care workers provide essential skilled support to the people we love, often in demanding and emotionally challenging circumstances.

“They deserve pay and conditions that reflect that. Fairer working conditions are essential to making social care the attractive and rewarding career which it should be.

“That is why the Scottish government is covering the cost of checks on applicants to protect vulnerable groups.”

She added: “This will remove the financial barrier to applying and help fill vacancies faster.

“It will address increasing demand for services while helping reduce the risk to people who receive care.”

The move was welcomed by Coalition of Care & Support Providers in Scotland chief Rachel Cackett as “a positive step towards greater parity with statutory services.

Professor Donald Macaskill, chief executive of industry body Scottish Care, said: “At a time when the sector continues to face significant workforce challenges, reducing barriers to recruitment and helping people enter and remain in care roles is to be welcomed.

“Social care depends upon attracting and retaining skilled, compassionate and committed staff.

“This initiative sends an important signal that social care workers are valued and that every effort should be made to support them.”