Director's Report
North Ayrshire Council · 13 June 2024
Back to Integration Joint Board — 13 June 2024 and its agenda
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Integration Joint Board 13 June 2024 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 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. 3. CURRENT POSITION National Developments 3.1 SSSC Codes of Practice – Update for HSCP staff HSCP staff have been reminded of the importance of ensuring they are up to date with the codes of practice set out by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).
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A revised set of codes came into effect on May 1, 2024, and all employees have a responsibility to read the updated codes and understand what these changes could mean to you - even where their role does not require them to be registered with the SSSC. To read or download the codes of practice online, visit www.sssc.uk.com/codes You can also watch a short video on the NAHSCP YouTube channel. 3.2 Working Together to Prevent Terrorism Prevent is a strand of the UK Government’s Counter-Terrorist Strategy that aims to reduce the threat to the UK by stopping people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. It is about preventative action and is focused on the early stages where a crime has not yet been committed. NAHSCP staff, should know what to do if there are concerns that someone could be at risk of being drawn into terrorism, whether that be a colleague, a service user or someone else they know. Information on Prevent has been published on both the staff Connects and Athena websites. 3.3 Local Government Promise Annual Report The third annual report, Local Government and The Promise has been published by COSLA and the Improvement Service. This year’s report is framed around ‘Local Progress and Success’, ‘The Challenges’ and ‘What is needed to succeed’. Whilst the purpose of the report is to demonstrate some of the work taking place across Scotland, it has also taken the opportunity to be very clear that progress is hindered by external factors and if these are not addressed, the ambition to keep The Promise by 2030 may not be met. 3.4 Review of Social Work Governance and Assurance across Scotland The Care Inspectorate have issued a letter of intent to all Scottish Local Authorities advising of their intention to undertake a thematic review of the effectiveness of the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010. This will commence in July 2024 and conclude in December 2024. The aim of the review is to provide a national overview of local government’s approach to ensuring governance and assurance arrangements are in place to provide confidence that social work duties are being appropriately discharged. The review will explore how key staff are supported to carry out their roles and broach any concerns.
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The review will also consider the extent to which social work leaders ensure that they can meaningfully influence decision making and have strategic oversight of significant areas of risk relating to key areas of legislative responsibility. This will span all areas of social work, including adults, children and justice social work. The approach will involve a national staff survey, review of some core documents, structured interviews and focus groups. The approach taken will be proportionate, minimising the impact on partnership areas. A single national report will be published on conclusion of the work. A key point of contact will be identified for the review who will co-ordinate the local response to a national survey and assist in the setting up of structured interviews and focus groups. Feedback from the review will be shared with IJB members once the national report has been published. 3.5 Self Directed Support Framework of Standards – Updated May 2024 In 2021, a framework of standards to support the implementation of Self-directed Support was developed to ensure social workers are empowered to practice in creative, and innovative ways which allow people to have greater choice and control in their own lives. The SDS Standards support social workers to explore ‘what matters’ to a person, not ‘what’s the matter’, and together find the right way forward. In 2023-2024, Social Work Scotland was funded by the Scottish Government under the Self-directed support: improvement plan 2023 to 2027 to review and update the framework of standards. The review of the Framework took place over a six-month period and adopted equalities and island communities impact approaches including extensive consultation with the range of stakeholders delivering and receiving services. The revisions were overseen by a core working group of national stakeholders, local authority and HSCP partners, and relevant experts and have been approved by COSLA and the Scottish Government. The key revisions made to the Framework were: • Clarifying the meaning and simplifying the language of each standard including the practice statement and core components • Reducing the number of core components • Developing a new explanatory ‘how to’ section for each core component • Adding a glossary of terms used The updated Framework of Standards can be found here .
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3.6 Alzheimer Scotland’s Commission on the Future of Long Term Care in Scotland During Scotland’s Dementia Awareness week Alzheimer’s Scotland published their report on the Future of Long Term Care In Scotland. There are 16 key recommendations within the report and highlights fundamental issues such as there being no meaningful long term care strategy for people with dementia; that residential care is the main limited option; and that this has been developed through an open market approach with little or no strategic commissioning of alternative approaches to long term care services that reflect the hopes and desires of people living with dementia. The report also highlights previous findings in the Fair Dementia Care Commission that for many people with advanced dementia their care needs are unequivocally health care needs, indistinguishable from the needs of people with other forms of terminal illness, yet unlike these other conditions, many people with advanced forms of dementia are faced with having to pay huge sums each week for this care, which should be free. Ayrshire Wide Developments 3.7 Mentoring Newly Qualified Social Workers Training North and South Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnerships have teamed up with the Scottish Mentoring network to deliver mentoring training to align with mentors supporting Newly Qualified Social Workers during their supported year. Mentoring inputs, specifically for workers who can mentor NQSWs, will be over two inputs of 1.5 hours each on Teams and will include the opportunity to undertake a short accredited online course in mentoring. 3.8 Ayrshire Innovation Network Event A pan-Ayrshire showcase event, sharing examples of innovation in health and social care from across Scotland and beyond, was held on Tuesday 11 June. Focusing on two perspectives on innovation from the Scottish health and social care sector, the attendees heard from :- • Nate Brown, Innovation Programme Lead, East Ayrshire HSCP, • Brendan Clarke, Digital Learning Lead, NES, • Alexia Pellowe from East Ayrshire HSCP talked about the Holly Health App; • Laura Gordon from Inverclyde HSCP showcased their newly-launched Health Visiting App; and • Nigel Gallear from Simon Community also shared feedback on their Get Connected App.
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3.9 Learning Disability Health Check Plans Update In 2022, the Scottish Government tasked all NHS boards and HSCPs with ensuring that a comprehensive annual health check is offered to the following persons within the board’s area: ● those aged 16 and over who are known to have a learning disability ● those aged 16 and over who identify themselves as having a learning disability, whether or not that learning disability has been formally diagnosed The three Ayrshire HSCPs and NHS A&A recognised that there was no capacity to undertake this work within general practice or within community learning disability services in Ayrshire, therefore a short-life working group was established in order to find a way forward. A small amount of non-recurring funding has been provided to progress this work. The group was tasked with developing a proposal around how these health checks would be carried out, as well as identifying young people with a learning disability to ensure that they experience a successful transition into the adult annual health check programme. In terms of progress, project support and project management staff are now in place, with nursing staff from the NHS nursing bank having been recruited specifically to undertake these annual checks. The process of collecting Learning Disability Registers from GP practices is currently under way, with the group also working alongside practices as we seek to identify suitable venues across Ayrshire in which these health checks can take place. Pilots have been undertaken across a number of sites in order to help the group determine how the health checks work in practice and how we might share the outcomes with GPs. It is hoped that the learning from this early implementation will help to shape future plans as the project progresses. If you have any questions, or would like some additional information, please contact Steve Wright, Senior Nurse, Learning Disabilities, by emailing Steve.wright2@aapct.scot.nhs.uk
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North Ayrshire Developments 3.10 New Transitions Support Group A new North Ayrshire support group led by parents or carers who support a child or young person aged 13 to 26 through a transition was held on 29th May 2024 at the William Love Memorial Hall, Kilwinning. The group is supported by NAHSCP, NHS Ayrshire and Arran and Unity Carers Gateway. Parents and Carers can discuss the challenges around the transition from children to adults session. The group allows the opportunity of :- • Peer support – connect with follow parents and carers who understand the challenges and share experiences, insights and strategies; • Visiting Expert Guidance – expert advice and resources; • Interactive workshops – informative and interactive workshops tailored to address specific concerns related to transitioning; • Empowerment and Resilience – build a strong support network, fostering resilience and empowerment. 3.11 Fostering Friendly Employer North Ayrshire Council has been recognised as a Fostering Friendly Employer. The council has updated its Special Leave Scheme to give greater flexibility to staff for exploring fostering opportunities. Employees who are foster carers (or who are interested in becoming foster carers), as well as kinship carers, can now benefit from the time off detailed below: • Assessment and initial training prior to approval as a foster carer - maximum three days • Attendance at panel for approval - maximum one day • Child review meetings, annual foster carer review meeting and training - up to five days NAHSCP is currently seeking foster carers, with a range of options available including short break care, supported care, interim fostering and longer-term fostering for young people. If you’d like some more information, please email the team at adfos- enquiry@northayrshire.gov.uk or call 01294 310300 (option 4 then option 1). You can also find out more on our website.
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3.12 Anam Cara Re-Opening Event Support for people with dementia in North Ayrshire received a boost after the Anam Cara respite centre in Kilbirnie was officially reopened on 4th June 2024, with a ribbon- cutting ceremony following an extensive refurbishment project. The specialist dementia respite centre accommodates up to 9 guests aged 60 years or over, offering critical respite services within single room, en suite accommodation. The refurbishment project included a complete transformation of the main garden area, including new garden furniture, with a ramp installed from the conservatory to allow better access for guests to enjoy the outdoors. An additional, smaller garden area adjacent to the dining area has also had some landscaping improvements made. A full revamp of the internal areas of the building has also been carried out, with works including wet wall installation in several of the bathrooms, replacement light fittings with energy-efficient LED bulbs and a full upgrade to the reception area. An archway has been created within the dining area to improve the space, allow better access to the outdoors and create an improved flow for staff moving around the area, and a new boiler and generator have been installed. This is an important service for those living with dementia and brings huge benefits to their families and carers, who can take a break from their caring responsibilities to look after their own wellbeing, knowing that their loved one is safe and being well looked after by the facility’s specially-trained staff. 3.13 Bronze Digital Telecare Implementation Award North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership has been awarded the Bronze Digital Telecare Implementation Award in recognition of the progress they have made on their analogue to digital telecare transition project.
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Bronze status is achieved when a Telecare Service provider has successfully deployed digital-ready alarm devices to at least 50% of all dispersed and group alarm users. This is the first major milestone in the transition to digital telecare and sets the foundations for the remainder of the digital telecare transition. North Ayrshire HSCP will now move forward to the first phase of testing with alarms and peripheral to achieve the Silver Implementation Award. 3.14 Ayrshire Achieves Awards The North Ayrshire Community Mental Health Team has been nominated for the Chairperson Award. This award is chosen by the Chair of Ayrshire and Arran NHS Board and Chief Executive, with the winner being announced at the Awards Ceremony on 6th June, the team’s nomination is a6special recognition for the work that they do. 3.15 School Welfare Rights Officers North Ayrshire Council is working with staff in secondary schools to ensure parents are accessing welfare benefits they are entitled to. Over the past two years, a Welfare Rights Officer (WRO) has been offering parents and carers free, impartial, and confidential benefits advice and she has helped to put more than £1million into families’ bank accounts during this time. The WRO is part of North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership’s Money Matters team, which helps ensure people across North Ayrshire get the correct state benefits by: • Carrying out a full benefits check for you and your household • Confirming which benefits you are entitled to • Helping you make a claim • Advising you if you dispute a benefit decision or sanctions • Providing representation at an appeal and • Completing referrals to partner agencies for debt, budgeting and household bills advice. The demand for the teams’ services has spiked during the Cost-of-Living Crisis and this additional capacity to reach into schools will provide invaluable support to more families in North Ayrshire. COVID Update 3.16 COVID-19 testing guidance – important update from NHS A&A
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The Scottish Government has advised that Health Boards should end routine asymptomatic COVID-19 testing before discharge from hospital to care homes and hospices. This change took place with effect from Monday 3 June. This guidance reflects the continuing success of the COVID-19 vaccination programme, the reduction in severity of illness and number of hospitalisations, and is in line with the approach being taken by the rest of the UK. Testing protocol for COVID-19 will revert to testing as appropriate to support clinical diagnosis and care and for outbreak management (as per the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual), or on the advice of NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s Infection Prevention and Control or Health Protection Teams. Testing for those who are eligible for COVID-19 treatments will also continue to be available. All staff should remain vigilant for the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 infection and isolate and test any symptomatic patients / residents as per current guidance. Testing will continue where there is a clinical need and patients are symptomatic. In these circumstances, patients will be managed as per current guidelines for symptomatic COVID-19 testing guidance. 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
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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