2 Directors Report
North Ayrshire Council · 12 October 2023
Back to Integration Joint Board — 12 October 2023 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Integration Joint Board 12th October 2023 Subject : Director’s Report Purpose : This report is for awareness to advise members of North Ayrshire Integration Joint Board (IJB) of developments within North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership (NAHSCP) Recommendation : IJB members are asked to note progress made to date. Direction Required to Council, Health Board or Both Direction to :- 1. No Direction Required X 2. North Ayrshire Council 3. NHS Ayrshire & Arran 4. North Ayrshire Council and NHS Ayrshire & Arran Glossary of Terms NHS AA NHS Ayrshire and Arran IJB Integration Joint Board HSCP Health and Social Care Partnership IRISR Independent Review of Inspection, Scrutiny and Regulation of Social Care in Scotland NCS National Care Service HIS Health Improvement Scotland HMCIS His Majesty’s Chief Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 This report informs members of the Integration Joint Board (IJB) of the work undertaken within North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership (NAHSCP), nationally, locally and Ayrshire wide. 2. BACKGROUND 2.1 This report provides IJB with up to date information on recent activity across the HSCP since the last IJB. The report will also provide COVID related information by exception.
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3. CURRENT POSITION National Developments 3.1 My Health, My Care, My Home Scottish Government have published the first annual progress report in relation to My Health, My Care, My Home, the healthcare framework for adults living in care homes. The report highlights a number of examples of how the vision and recommendations are being implemented by Health Boards, HSCP and the wider sector to improve outcomes for people living in care homes. Locally the healthcare framework is being aligned to our local improvement work re how we engage with and support care homes. 3.2 Audit Scotland Report A link to a recent report published by Audit Scotland - Access to Mental Health services can be found here : https://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/news/access-to- mental-health-services-slow-and-complicated The report was prepared by Audit Scotland for the Auditor General of Scotland and the Accounts Commission and highlighted that accessing mental health services in Scotland remains slow and complicated for many people. It states that the Scottish Government requires more information to understand the difference investment in mental health services is making and the role IJBs and Councils have in improving the availability and quality of data needed to plan services and ensure the right levels of staffing are in place. A report will be submitted to a future IJB on the recommended actions within the report and the NAHSCP position in relation to these. 3.3 National Care Service - Final Report for Independent Review of Inspection, Scrutiny and Regulation of Social Care in Scotland (IRISR) A key recommendation from the Independent Review of Adult Social Care (IRASC) was the creation of a National Care Service (NCS). If approved by Parliament, the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill will represent one of the most ambitious public services reforms in generations, having significant implications for how social care services are commissioned, delivered, and governed in Scotland. At the time of publication, the Bill proposed some limited changes in the powers of the Care Inspectorate and Healthcare Improvement Scotland but raised important questions in how regulation and improvement will operate and be strengthened under the NCS. It was in this context that, in September 2022, Scottish Ministers announced an Independent Review of Inspection, Scrutiny, and Regulation (IRISR) to look at how
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social care support services are regulated and inspected across Scotland. Ministers appointed Dame Sue Bruce to lead the review. Following an engagement programme undertaken as part of the Review, the final findings and recommendations are now included in the published report - IRISR Recommendation Report. The IRISR presented an opportunity to address some of the key challenges in the current systems of inspection, scrutiny and regulation to support improved outcomes for people. The report, which is broad in scope, contains 38 recommendations which will be considered by the Scottish Government. 3.4 National Care Service (Scotland) Bill (NCS Bill) Update The Scottish Government have provided a further update on discussions taking place in relation to the NCS Bill. This includes the published reports from the summer regional co-design events, discussions held with local government, NHS and Trade Unions and the Rights to breaks for carers. A copy of the letter from Maree Todd, MSP to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee is available here. The second NCS Forum is taking place on 30 October in Glasgow - . National Care Service Events | Eventbrite North Ayrshire continue to engage with Scottish Government, COSLA and the NCS team as part of the engagement process, as part of the work being progressed to revise the Bill prior to parliamentary debate at Stage 1. North Ayrshire Developments 3.5 Preventing Suicide in North Ayrshire : Creating Hope Together Staff from across North Ayrshire HSCP were joined by colleagues from NHS A&A, East and South HSCPs, Third Sector and wider stakeholder partners for a suicide prevention event at Saltcoats Town Hall on Monday. The theme of the event was ‘Creating Hope Together’, recognising that suicide prevention is everybody’s business and that we can all take action - no matter how big or small - to prevent suicide.
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The aims of the day were to encourage discussion and generate ideas for taking action to prevent suicide in North Ayrshire; share our knowledge so far about suicide prevention and highlight areas of good practice; inspire a call to action across all sectors to work and learn together to drive change in North Ayrshire, and consider what more can be done to prevent suicide and identify the support needed to ensure everyone can play their part. As well as staff from NAHSCP/NAC/NHS A&A, representatives of Arran CVS, Dalry Men’s Shed and dsm-firmenich also delivered thought-provoking presentations on the day, with attendees taking part in two workshop sessions that will help to shape next steps. The feedback from this event will be used to inform our own North Ayrshire action plan following the publication of the national strategy. 3.6 North Ayrshire Joint Inspection of Adult Support and Protection (ASP) In 2018 North Ayrshire was one of 6 participating areas for the new Joint Thematic Inspection of ASP. The main objective for the joint inspection was to find out what adult protection partnerships were doing to make adults at risk of harm safe, supported, and protected and to ascertain the effectiveness of this activity. The inspection outcome in 2018 was very positive and provided a degree of assurance over arrangements in North Ayrshire, gradings were as follows: • Outcomes for adults at risk of harm – GOOD • Key processes for adult support and protection -VERY GOOD • Leadership for adult support and protection was – VERY GOOD Following the new approach being tested in a small number of areas there is now a rolling programme of inspection across Scotland. The Care Inspectorate, Health Improvement Scotland (HIS) and His Majesty’s Chief Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMCIS) advised of their intention to undertake a joint inspection of adult support and protection arrangements in North Ayrshire, the inspection timetable has commenced and is due to conclude in March 2024. The focus of the joint inspection will be to provide :- • Independent scrutiny and assurance of how partnerships ensure that adults at risk of harm are kept safe, protected, and supported. • Assurance to Scottish Ministers about how effectively partnerships have implemented the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007. • An opportunity to identify good practice and support improvement more broadly across Scotland. The inspection will be conducted under two quality indicators of :- • Key adult support and protection processes, and • Leadership for adult support and protection.
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The single point of contact/co-ordinator for the inspection has been confirmed as Julie Mitchell, Senior Officer (Adult Support and Protection), supported by Scott Hunter, Chief Social Work Officer. 3.7 Carers Strategy Launch The new Carers Strategy “Building Caring Communities 2023/25” was formally launched at Ardeer Community Centre, Stevenston on Monday 2nd October 2023. T The IJB previously approved the Carers Strategy which includes a number of priorities, which as well as the expansion of services provided by Unity’s North Ayrshire Carers Gateway Service, will also see a new Carers Collaborative established. This will bring together more carers, professionals and organisations to network and share ideas, knowledge and experiences on how to create real change for carers and carer services. Having delivered services to North Ayrshire’s unpaid carers for over 20 years, Unity’s wealth of experience in supporting those caring for family members and friends has led to them successfully being awarded the contract to deliver support for a further period of three years, with significant resources being provided by the IJB to expand, improve and rebrand the services offered to both adult and young unpaid carers. This substantial investment will see a number of positive changes, including a three- fold increase in the number of support staff, increased routes to carers assessments and support, and the development of more community-based outreach services. This will see unpaid carers being able to access support closer to home in places they already visit and includes a dedicated worker for residents on the Isle of Arran. The strategy also sets out how carers will be supported to access short breaks from their caring role, as well as plans for the development of digital solutions for those who prefer to access information and support in this way.
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3.8 Mental Health Arts Festival returns The Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival will run this year from Wednesday 4 October to Sunday 22 October. The festival, which was established in 2007 by the Mental Health Foundation, is one of the world’s leading arts events dedicated to mental health. The annual programme features hundreds of events across a variety of artforms, including theatre, film, music, visual arts, writing and dance. A range of fantastic events will be taking place in North Ayrshire throughout the festival that anyone can take part in, kicking off with the launch event on Wednesday 27 September at the Harbour Arts Centre in Irvine. Further details are available on the festival website, where you also can find more info about what’s happening nationally. 3.9 Festival Fun at Trindlemoss event Trindlemoss Day Opportunities in Irvine held its first ever festival event. ‘TM Fest’ was a day to remember, with musical entertainment provided by clients and staff, all of whom had put a lot of effort into their costumes, props and acts. A performance of ‘Shang-a-lang’ was voted the best of the day, with the winning participants receiving medals for their efforts. Those attending, who included friends and families of Trindlemoss clients and other invited guests, also enjoyed a disco, bongo bingo, lunch, a raffle, and a visit from two beautiful donkeys. The clients and staff at Trindlemoss Day Opportunities would like to pass on their sincere thanks to everyone whose contributions made the day so successful.
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3.10 Volunteer to mentor a young person in your community MCR Pathways is a national, award-winning mentoring programme. The MCR charity was established in 2007 to support young people, including those who are care experienced or have experienced disadvantage, to help them realise their full potential through education. The MCR Pathways programme is one to one relationship-based mentoring focused on building confidence, belief and self-esteem. Volunteer mentors spend an hour each week listening to and encouraging a young person in their school. Mentoring is incredibly flexible and can be adapted to fit around your schedule - an hour a week is all it takes. Comprehensive training is provided by MCR Pathways and optional ongoing training and development opportunities are available throughout the year. Mentors who listen to and support a young person report back that they have: • Increased wellbeing, morale, purpose and empathy • Improved engagement in work, personal development and productivity • Better active listening skills, effective communication and relationships Mentors are needed in Ardrossan Academy, Auchenharvie Academy, Garnock Community Campus, Greenwood Academy, Irvine Royal Academy and St Matthew's Academy. If you would like to find out more and register your interest, please visit the MCR Pathways website. 3.11 Concert for Caring Event A group of five unpaid carers from North Ayrshire enjoyed a trip to the Concert for Caring event at the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow recently. Organised by The Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland, the event was held to recognise the contribution of carers in our communities and thank them for all of their work in supporting friends and family with an illness or disability to live well. Hosted by comedian Des Clarke, the concert featured stories from those within the caring community, as well as musical performances from Callum Beatie and Altered Images.
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3.12 Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund Year 3 of the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund opened for applications on Thursday 28th September from 12 noon and will close at 12 noon on Friday 10th November. The launch date, which has been determined by the Scottish Government’s timeline, is a few weeks earlier than in previous years, but it is anticipated that successful applications will be announced before the Christmas break, with any funded projects receiving their formal offer and grant award in January. This year, in addition to the Adult Fund, there is a small pot of funding available again to support projects that are focussing on Children, Young People, and Families. The maximum award level for both the Adult and Children’s Fund has been slightly increased, to take into account some of the inflationary impact. • CMHWF for Adults (maximum award £22,000) • Children, Young People and Families CMHWF(maximum award £7,500) An information session was held on 5th October between at Saltcoats Town Hall, to hear about the priorities and focus in Year 3, as well as to meet many of the groups and organisations who have received funding in Years 1 and 2, and to celebrate some of their successes. This was a great opportunity to network and find out about the wide range of amazing work and services that are being delivered by the Third Sector across North Ayrshire, focussing on improving mental health and wellbeing in our communities. COVID Update 3.13 Health and Social Care worker Winter Vaccine Programme – Update Based on national recommendations, the staff winter vaccination programme is open to offer flu and COVID-19 vaccines immediately. This means that both frontline and non-frontline Health and Social Care Workers (H&SCWs) can now attend clinics. • All H&SCWs are eligible for a flu vaccination • Frontline (patient-facing) H&SCWs are eligible for both a flu and a COVID-19 booster vaccine
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For those who work in a care home, vaccinators will visit their place of work from October which means staff will be able to receive their vaccinations at the same time as care home residents. However, if they want to receive winter vaccinations earlier, they can attend one of the listed vaccination clinics to do so. Some staff, who are eligible for a COVID-19 booster vaccine due to a health condition, may have already received an appointment letter inviting them to attend a local mass vaccination centre for their flu and COVID vaccinations. Staff can choose to attend this appointment or one of the vaccination drop-in clinics where they can receive both vaccines. 4. IMPLICATIONS 4.1 Financial None 4.2 Human Resources None 4.3 Legal None 4.4 Equality/Socio-Economic None 4.5 Risk None 4.6 Community Wealth Building None 4.7 Key Priorities None 5. CONSULTATION No specific consultation was required for this report. User and public involvement is key for the partnership and all significant proposals will be subject to an appropriate level of Consultation. Caroline Cameron, Director [Carolinecameron@north-ayrshire.gov.uk/01294 317723] Appendices Nil