Roz McCall MSP for Mid-Scotland and Fife has said she is “alarmed” by new figures highlighting the number of nursery and childminding staff in Fife who have been absent over the last five years due to mental health issues.
Responses to Freedom of Information requests by the Scottish Conservatives show that over 8,000 staff across Scotland have been absent due to mental health issues.
The true figure is likely to be even higher as three councils didn’t respond to the figures, while another failed to provide figures for 2022/23.
In Fife there were 63 absent in 2018-19, but by 2022-23, that had increased to 88. Ms McCall says that the findings come against a backdrop of a childcare crisis in Fife.
Overall, the number of absences across Scotland has rocketed by 53% since 2018.
Roz McCall says that the SNP have “neglected” the childcare sector and urged ministers to fully resource services in Fife to ease the pressure on staff who are clearly overwhelmed.
Roz McCall MSP said:
“These alarming figures point to a mental health crisis among early years and childcare staff in Fife.”
“The rising number of stress-related absences among staff in Fife is extremely concerning, but also sadly predictable given the SNP’s unacceptable neglect of the childcare sector in Fife and across Scotland as a whole.”
“The SNP’s rollout of free childcare has pushed many businesses in Fife to the brink and has also resulted in a major exodus of childminders.”
“The work that early years and childcare staff in Fife carry out is essential and often allows parents to go back to work, which is invaluable to the economy.”
“It is extremely sad that our childcare staff in Fife are so overwhelmed and demoralised, and it is little wonder we are seeing so many sick days being taken.”
“Humza Yousaf cannot continue to short-change the childcare sector in Fife especially when he’s talking up the provision offered to parents.”
“The SNP must up their game and give overwhelmed childcare staff in Fife the resources they need to support those in their care.”
