Coronavirus (COVID-19): social care staff support fund guidance

Overview

This guidance provides information for social care workers and employers about the Social Care Staff Support Fund (the Fund).

Introduction

As key workers, social care workers have continued to provide care and daily living support to people across Scotland throughout the coronavirus pandemic. The nature of this work means that they come into close contact with people and in many cases are caring for people who have contracted coronavirus. As part of infection prevention control they have access to personal and protective equipment (PPE) and must also be supported to self-isolate in line with public health guidance.

The Fund has been set up for a group of workers who, due to the nature of their work or work environment, may be expected to self-isolate on more than one occasion as part of infection prevention and control. Its purpose is to ensure that social care workers do not experience financial hardship.

Any social care worker suspected to have or who is displaying symptoms of COVID-19 is expected to take a COVID-19 test at the earliest opportunity.

Arrangements from 1 October 2022

From 1 October 2022, the social care staff support fund will operate in accordance with powers under the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978. The eligibility criteria and scope remain the same, so please refer to the relevant sections of this guidance for more details. Applications to the Fund will continue to be made in the same way, via sustainability claim forms which need to be submitted to the relevant local authority / integration authority.

The Fund is available for social care staff who are absent from work due to having COVID-19, or self-isolating in line with public health guidance, and will remain in place to support and encourage infection prevention and control in social care settings. This will help to protect both service users and the workforce from illness, thus promoting public health. The Fund has been extended to 31 March 2023.