IJB Director's Report
North Ayrshire Council · 30 April 2026
Back to Integration Joint Board — 30 April 2026 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 30th April 2026 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 COSLA Convention of Scottish Local Authorities ALISS A Local Information System for Scotland NES NHS Education in Scotland NSS NHS National Services in Scotland PSD Scotland Public Services Delivery Scotland MWC Mental Welfare Commission SMHLR Scottish Mental Health Law Review WFWF Whole Family Wellbeing Fund 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.
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3. CURRENT POSITION National Developments 3.1 Scottish Families National Transitions Strategy for Young Disabled People On 3rd June 2026 the Scottish Government Transitions Team is hosting a sector wide online workshop focused on digital resources, tools and supports available to practitioners working with young disabled people and their families. This session will bring together national partners who deliver key actions under the National Transitions to Adulthood Strategy for Young Disabled People 2025–2030. Everyone supporting young disabled people plays a crucial role in preparing and planning for transitions into adulthood. Scotland’s National Transitions to Adulthood Strategy was published on 30 June 2025 and aims to ensure every young disabled person feels confident, empowered and supported to control their own path to success. The Strategy is delivered in partnership with COSLA and is underpinned by ARC Scotland’s Principles of Good Transitions, which emphasise early planning, person led approaches and coordinated support. This workshop will: • Showcase the digital tools, resources and supports available to help improve transitions. • Increase awareness of resources available across Scotland. • Provide a short “show and tell” style segment from each partner organisation. • Offer practical demonstrations to support frontline use and signposting. Confirmed Contributors Speakers will include: • The Alliance – ALISS (A Local Information System for Scotland) • ARC Scotland – Compass & eLearning / Knowledge Hub • Contact – Talking About Tomorrow Website • Family Fund – Digital Transitions Support for Families • Skills Development Scotland – My World of Work • PAMIS – Passports & PMLD Transitions Support • NDTi – Planning Live • Scottish Government – Strategy update and ecosystem overview The workshop is designed for practitioners and professionals including but not limited to: • Local authorities • Health boards • Health & Social Care Partnerships
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To reserve a place you can register online using the Eventbrite link - National Transitions Strategy for Young Disabled People - Digital Resources Tickets, Wednesday 3 June • 10 - 12:30 GMT+1 | Eventbrite 3.2 Public Services Delivery Scotland On 1 April, NHS Education for Scotland (NES) and NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) came together to form Public Services Delivery Scotland (PSD Scotland)—a new national partner for transformation across health, social care, and the wider public sector. By combining strengths in workforce education, digital innovation, and Once for Scotland infrastructure and national clinical services, PSD Scotland is built on trusted foundations and a commitment to continuity. As part of the wider ambition to reshape and modernise how national services operate, PSD Scotland will have a clear focus on reducing duplication and ensuring that frontline staff have the skills, tools, data and infrastructure they need to deliver the best possible outcomes for the people and communities they serve. Their aim is to work in partnership to improve outcomes for people and communities by providing joined-up national support, educating and developing the workforce, delivering Once for Scotland national clinical services and infrastructure, and accelerating safe, evidence-led digital transformation and innovation. PSD Scotland will operate according to core values of putting people first, prioritising partnership, driving evidence and data-led improvement, focusing on prevention and long-term outcomes, and upholding transparency, co-design and trust in everything we do. Over the coming months, they will continue to develop their structure and strategy, ensuring a smooth transition for staff, partners and the wider public. They will also continue to provide the services of their predecessor organisations without interruption, and existing points of contact and established communication channels will continue unchanged. 3.3 Mental Welfare Commission Strategic Plan 2026-29 The Mental Welfare Commission (MWC) approved and published their Strategic Plan for 2026-29 on 24th February 2026.
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The 2026-29 strategic plan builds on the four priorities that have steered the Commission since 2023 : to challenge and promote change, to increase their impact, to improve their efficiency and effectiveness, and to focus on the most vulnerable. Feedback confirmed that these priorities remain relevant, but that they must be strengthen and that the MWC should be bolder in their national leadership role. The Scottish Mental Health Law Review (SMHLR) made far-reaching recommendations, including an expanded role for the Commission itself. Whilst the Scottish Government’s decisions are awaited, this strategy sets out the MWC ambition to do all they can with the powers and resources they currently have. 3.4 Impact of COVID-19 on Health and Social Care in Scotland People living in Scotland through the pandemic – including bereaved relatives, patients, service users, carers, healthcare professionals, those separated from relatives in care homes, prisoners, people experiencing homelessness and others – will see their experiences reflected in a new publication from the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry. The record summarises evidence heard from 156 witnesses over more than 16 weeks of public hearings held between October 2023 and May 2024. It covers what they told the Inquiry about their experiences of care homes, healthcare services and end of life care – reflecting witnesses’ views on how Scotland's health and social care system responded to the crisis between January 2020 and December 2022. Recurring themes across the evidence include grief and bereavement, mental health, PPE availability, staffing pressures, and the quality of guidance issued during the pandemic. The record also includes a note on Anne's Law, which strengthens the rights of care home residents to maintain contact with loved ones during infectious disease outbreaks. Regulations were approved by the Scottish Parliament in March 2026. 3.5 Anne’s Law New regulations about care home visiting that are commonly known as Anne’s Law came into force on Tuesday 31 March 2026. The regulations strengthen the rights of people living in adult and older people’s care homes to maintain contact with those who are important to them. They do this by introducing duties for care home providers in relation to visiting arrangements, identification of Essential Care Supporters, and transparency where visiting is restricted for any reason.
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A Code of Practice has been developed to provide guidance for care home providers, managers and staff on applying the legislation consistently and fairly. It will also support care home residents, families and friends to know what they should expect from care homes. From 31 March 2026, when care homes restrict visits for any reason, they must notify: • residents, their representatives if appropriate, and Essential Care Supporters • the Care Inspectorate • the Chief Social Work Officer for the relevant local authority. A three-month implementation period (31 March – 30 June 2026) will apply to support providers to fully embed the new arrangements. The legal duties under Anne’s Law will apply from 31 March 2026. The Care Inspectorate will continue to take a proportionate and supportive approach, recognising that providers are implementing new requirements during this period. During this time, providers should take steps to ensure their policies, processes and staff awareness align with the legislation and Code of Practice. However, the new notification requirements will apply from 31 March 2026. 3.6 National Care Service Charter of Rights The National Care Service Charter of Rights (‘the Charter’) was published on 25th March 2026. The Charter aims to help people to better understand their existing rights and what they should expect when accessing, or waiting to access, social care, social work and community health services in Scotland. You can find the full Charter, along with a range of accessible versions at www.mygov.scot/ncs-charter. Publication of the Charter marks an important step in delivering a rights-based approach to care in Scotland. To ensure the Charter is put into action, the next phase of work will focus on implementation, including identifying opportunities to raise awareness of the Charter and embed it into care services. 3.7 Whole Family Wellbeing funding (WFWF) Year 3 Review The Scottish Government have published the review of the Year 3 WFWF activity: Analysis of Year 3 (2024-2025) Whole Family Wellbeing Funding Programme Templates - gov.scot. Established by the Scottish Government in 2022, the Whole Family Wellbeing Funding (WFWF) programme aims to drive systems change at a local level to improve the delivery of holistic whole family support in line with the National Principles – so that every family in Scotland can access the right support at the right time, reducing the need for crisis intervention and helping children to thrive within their own families. This analysis examines Year 3 (2024-25) reporting templates submitted in time to complete this research by 23 of Scotland’s 30 Children’s Services Planning Partnerships (CSPPs). It provides a descriptive overview of activities funded through
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Element 1 of WFWF, identifies emerging themes and highlights examples of positive practice to help CSPPs learn from each other’s approaches to delivering holistic whole family support. The Lines Between, a social research company, have been thematically analysing all available annual reporting templates from Year 3 of the WFWF Programme. This work does not examine outcomes in depth as this is in scope for the Year 3-4 evaluation. However, this report provides a timely, descriptive overview of the continued progress of these activities, draws out key themes and commonalities across areas, and identify examples of positive practice. North Ayrshire Developments 3.8 Appointments Following a successful recruitment process, I am delighted to advise that John Geates has been appointed as the new Independent Chair of the North Ayrshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership, with effect from 24 March 2026. John will be taking over from Billy Brotherston, who finished in the role on 24 April 2026. I would like to acknowledge Billy’s contribution as outgoing Chair – his support, leadership and steady guidance have been hugely appreciated, and we are very grateful for everything he’s done during his time with the ADP. I’m sure you’ll all join me in welcoming John to the role and support him to build on the strong partnership working at the ADP, and in thanking Billy for his commitment and work over the years. 3.9 Care Inspectorate Inspection Reports Trindlemoss The Care Inspectorate completed an unannounced inspection of Trindlemoss House on 23 March 2026 and reported very positive findings, with four quality indicators graded 5 – Very Good and one graded 4 – Good, and no requirements made. The inspection highlighted strong, person-centred care and support that promotes wellbeing, independence and positive outcomes; effective leadership, governance and quality assurance arrangements; a skilled, motivated and well-supported staff team; and high-quality care planning aligned to the Health and Social Care Standards, including effective Positive Behaviour Support. The physical environment was described as safe, personalised and supportive, with scope to continue strengthening this area to further enhance people’s experience. A previous improvement action relating to six-monthly care reviews had been fully met, and no complaints have been upheld since the last inspection, providing strong assurance to the IJB regarding the quality and governance of the service.
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Montrose House The Care Inspectorate published the report following an unannounced inspection of Montrose House on 6th March 2026 and evaluated the service as 4 – Good across all five quality indicators. The inspection found that people experienced warm, respectful and person-centred care that supported health, wellbeing and dignity, with visible and responsive leadership, improving staffing stability, and effective quality assurance arrangements. Care planning and risk assessment were up to date and generally well used by staff to guide safe, personalised support, with improved review processes noted, although some anticipatory care plans would have benefited from further detail. The environment was described as clean, homely and generally well maintained, though some minor cleaning issues in communal areas were identified. One area for improvement was made in relation to ensuring the safe and correct storage of medication in people’s bedrooms, including improved labelling and storage arrangements. Leaders were visible, supportive and responsive, which helped create a culture where concerns were raised early and addressed quickly. Quality assurance processes were effective and ensured resources matched people's needs. No complaints have been upheld since the previous inspection, providing overall assurance to the IJB regarding the quality and safety of the service. It should be noted by the IJB that this is the first time since inspected in 2018 that Montrose House has achieved positive Care Inspectorate gradings across all domains. The Care Inspectorate highlighted that staffing arrangements were appropriate and supported good outcomes for people. A recent reduction of the number of service users and available beds meant that the service's reliance on agency staff had been significantly reduced. Furthermore, shift patterns had been changed, which led to more staff being present at times of high support need, such as lunchtime. The improved staffing ratio meant staff had time to interact meaningfully with residents. This reduced stress, improved wellbeing and helped staff provide person centred care. 3.10 NEST team member shortlisted in National Diversity Awards The Neurodevelopmental Empowerment and Strategy Team (NEST) team member Celine Dyer has been shortlisted for the National Diversity Awards 2026 in the Positive Role Model – Disability category. The award recognises individuals who are helping to break down barriers and improve understanding of disability in everyday life.
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Celine, who is the only person from Ayrshire to be nominated across all categories this year, uses her lived experience to support neurodivergent individuals, families and professionals in ways that are kind, empowering and deeply human. You can support Celine by voting online. You can also read more about her nomination and a bit about her story in this NEST blog. Congratulations Celine on this well-deserved achievement - and wishing you the best of luck at the finals. 3.11 Dementia Connect Dementia Connect is a local group that can offer advice and information to those living with dementia and their families or carers. The group offers a free Dementia Support Pack that can help with navigating local and national supports, as well as a ‘(Get) TUIT’ newsletter that provides information on local activities. You can also sign up to the group’s WhatsApp for news and events alerts, or follow them on Facebook by searching ‘Dementia Connect Carers Group (North Ayrshire)’. To find out more, or to request the support pack or newsletter, contact Mike by calling 07508 188 542 or emailing michaellunn29@gmail.com 3.12 Celebrating 10 years of Woodland View Hospital A celebration of the ten-year anniversary of Woodland View Hospital in Irvine has been launched, with current and former patients and their families and carers being invited to get involved. The hospital, which opened in the Spring of 2016, is a purpose built, integrated mental health facility serving the whole of Ayrshire, bringing together a full range of outpatient and inpatient facilities including the previous adult inpatient wards at Ailsa Hospital in Ayr and University Hospital Crosshouse. As part of the celebrations, North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership would love to hear stories from patients who have received care at the hospital, as well as those who have supported their loved ones through treatment at Woodland View. These stories could become one of the featured pieces in the Partnership’s ‘10 Years,
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10 Stories’ project, helping to highlight the impact Woodland View has had on individuals, families, and our wider community over the last decade. Whether their experience is big or small, challenging or inspiring, these can be shared by emailing MentalHealthEngagement@north-ayrshire.gov.uk or calling 07392 128 928. In addition, the Partnership is running an anonymous survey for patients and former patients to better understand your experiences of the mental health ward environment and how it assisted you in your care and recovery. The survey looks at what is working well, where improvements could be made, and how we can continue to develop an environment that supports high-quality patient care. Finally, a separate anonymous survey for families and carers can be accessed online, focussing on how the ward environment supports the person you care for, how it supports you in your role as a carer, and where improvements can be made. The closing date for both surveys is Monday 4 May. 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