Decent work in care homes: lessons and implications of the pandemic experience from Scotland

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify lessons and implications on the theme decent work in social care. This has long been highlighted as integral improving care for elderly. COVID-19 pandemic experience reveals about systemic absence one place, Scotland, homes. main lesson implication a need change beyond focus levels pay advocacy it conventionally understood. Design/methodology/approach Data was collected using qualitative, semi-structured interviews with 20 workers homes.[AQ4] A range system institutional stakeholders also interviewed. Findings Decent may only be progressed extent that culture achieved, transcending stasis who owns engages progressing work. Research limitations/implications study small sample frontline homes representatives from institutions. Practical Effective needs higher research priority. More explicit policies can mechanism by which overall catalysed sustainably secured together. Explicit here set out respect operational, national domains. Social There policy political support situating part broader around culture-oriented plan well new resourcing structures together ensure nadir historical turning point towards transformation rather than being just another low recurring cycle. Originality/value progress within change, modelling are original contributions.