Over three quarters of care homes in Scotland reported vacancies at the end of 2022, new figures reveal.

The Care Inspectorate and Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) report shows 76% of care homes had vacancies in 2022, the highest level since records began in 2017. Almost half of care services (49%) reported vacancies, again a new record.

Maree Allison, acting chief executive of the SSSC said: “We work closely with the Care Inspectorate, Scottish government and others to help employers recruit, retain and develop their staff, however, this report shows the sector is experiencing more significant pressures than ever before and more needs to be done to attract and retain a workforce that feels valued and respected for the high quality care and support that workers deliver. 

“The report shows there are lots of job opportunities in care services and we are committed to promoting careers in care, supporting the need for fair work, terms and conditions and an effective workforce voice to help make care an attractive career choice.”

East Dunbartonshire, Edinburgh, Dundee and North Lanarkshire local authority areas had a significantly higher proportion of services with vacancies than the national average of 49% for all care services. 

The rate of whole time equivalent (WTE) vacancies for all services in Scotland was 8.7% up from 8.1% in 2021. 

Nurse agency services, care at home services and housing support services had a significantly higher rate of WTE vacancies than the national average of 8.7%. 

Almost two-thirds (61%) of services reported having nursing vacancies (where services employed nurses), up by 1 percentage point on 2021.

The rate of WTE nursing vacancies for all services (where services employed nurses) in Scotland was 17.4%, up from 16.2% in 2021. 

Problems filling vacancies included: 63% of services having problems filling roles (up 5 percentage points from the previous year); too few applicants in general (71%); too few applicants with experience (60%); and too few qualified applicants (51%). 

Read the Staff vacancies in care services 2022 report here.