Inspiring Scotland / Fair Work in Social Care Group / Scottish Government · 2026
This report evaluates the implementation and impact of the Draft Effective Voice Framework across 17 social care organisations in Scotland over a one-year pilot project. Using a mixed-methods approach including staff surveys, HR data, focus groups, interviews, and feedback forms, it assessed how well the Framework helped organisations improve employee voice mechanisms. Key findings include limited trade union access among non-unionised providers, modest but positive shifts in staff awareness and satisfaction with voice channels, and persistent barriers around funding, capacity, and survey fatigue. The report recommends a national rollout of a redrafted EV Framework alongside stronger Scottish Government support for trade union access and additional resources for social care providers.