7. Distress Brief Intervention Service Funding
North Ayrshire Council · 20 August 2026
Back to Integration Joint Board — 20 August 2026 and its agenda
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Integration Joint Board 20 August 2026 Subject : Distress Brief Intervention Service Purpose : Approval of options presented in relation to the funding arrangements for the above service. Recommendation : The Integration Joint Board is asked to: (i) determine firstly whether to suspend Standing Orders in accordance with Standing Order 11.1 in order to consider this Item, given the terms of Standing Order 10.1 (limit on IJB’s ability to alter, delete or rescind a decision of the IJB within six months from the decision); and if so (ii) consider the Scottish Government request to continue the Distress Brief Intervention Service to 31 March 2027 with Scottish Government funding of £157,500 for the period 1 September 2026 to 31 March 2027; and (iii) agree one of the options set out in section 3 of this report. 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 HSCP Health and Social Care Partnership IJB Integration Joint Board DBI Distress Brief Intervention 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 In March 2026, as part of the approved budget, the Integration Joint Board agreed that the Distress Brief Intervention Service would cease on 31 August 2026. Following that decision, the Health and Social Care Partnership undertook the necessary planning and contractual arrangements to bring the service to an end in accordance with the IJB’s decision.
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1.2 Any decision to alter, delete or rescind that decision (of 13 March 2026) would fall within scope of Standing Order 10.1 given that it was taken within six months. If the Integration Joint Board wishes to consider the substance of this matter, it requires, prior to consideration of the Item, to suspend the applicable Standing Order, in accordance with the procedure set out at Standing Order 11.1. 1.3 The Scottish Government has now written to the Chief Officer requesting that the IJB reconsider continuation of the DBI Service. The correspondence confirms that Scottish Government can provide £157,500 for the seven-month period from 1 September 2026 to 31 March 2027 and will work with the DBI Central Team and Ayrshire and Arran partners to consider arrangements for 2027/28. 1.4 In the interim, and to allow the IJB to consider the request from Scottish Government, delegated authority has been exercised to extend the current contract with the service provider to 30 September 2026 to maintain continuity of provision while the IJB considers its position. 2. BACKGROUND 2.1 The Distress Brief Intervention Programme provides a structured response for people experiencing emotional distress. The model involves an initial compassionate response by trained frontline staff, followed where appropriate by referral to a commissioned Level 2 service which contacts the person within 24 hours and provides time-limited community-based support, including problem solving, distress management planning, supported connections and signposting. The budget proposal to cease the service from the end of August was brought forward in response to the significant financial challenges facing the Integration Joint Board (IJB). The proposal followed a robust options appraisal undertaken by Mental Health Services, which included engagement with colleagues from East and South Ayrshire HSCPs. An Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) accompanied the proposal and clearly recognised both the value of the service and the potential adverse impact of its withdrawal. The recommendation was therefore presented as the least detrimental option available within the circumstances, rather than as a reflection on the quality, effectiveness or importance of the service itself. The proposed saving formed just one element of a wider package of savings measures approved by the IJB in March as part of its statutory duty to set a balanced budget. The decision should therefore be viewed within the context of the broader financial recovery measures required across the Partnership, rather than as an indication that the service was not delivering positive outcomes for those who used it. The Scottish Government has advised that it is able to provide £157,500 to support continuation of the Ayrshire and Arran DBI Programme for the remainder of 2026/27.
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The funding relates to the seven-month period from 1 September 2026 to 31 March 2027. The correspondence also confirms a commitment to work with the DBI Central Team and Ayrshire and Arran to consider how DBI may be continued during 2027/28. The offer of funding from Scottish Government is specifically to continue to deliver the DBI programme and is not available to support any of the wider IJB financial pressures. 3. PROPOSALS 3.1 IJB is asked to consider the following options :- Option 1: Agree to accept the Scottish Government funding of £157,500 and continue the DBI Service from 1 September 2026 to 31 March 2027, subject to completion of any necessary contractual arrangements with the current provider. This would maintain the service for the remainder of the financial year and allow NHS Ayrshire and Arran partners to work with Scottish Government and the DBI Central Team on potential arrangements for 2027/28. Any continuation of the service beyond 31 March 2027 would be reliant on further funding being made available. Option 2: Agree to continue the DBI Service only to 30 September 2026, reflecting the temporary contract extension already put in place, and thereafter proceed with the cessation of the service. This would allow short-term continuity but would not take up the full funding offer from Scottish Government. Option 3: Confirm the previous decision made in March 2026 and proceed with cessation of the DBI Service. The Partnership would continue to manage the implications of ending the service, including communication with the provider, referring agencies, staff and relevant partners. The Scottish Government’s request is brought before the IJB for consideration. However, as this matter was not included within the planned business of the meeting and is within six months of a previous decision by the IJB, consideration of the request will require the suspension of Standing Orders. If required, an appropriate Direction will be issued to NHS Ayrshire and Arran following the IJB decision.
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3.2 Anticipated Outcomes If Option 1 is approved, the anticipated outcome is continuity of DBI provision to 31 March 2027, with Scottish Government funding supporting delivery for the remainder of the financial year. This would provide time for further national and local discussion on the longer-term position for 2027/28. Any continuation of the service beyond 31 March 2027 would be reliant on further funding being made available. 3.3 Measuring Impact Impact will be monitored through existing contract management and performance reporting arrangements, including referral activity, response times, service uptake, outcomes reported by the provider, and any issues arising through operational delivery. Any further proposals for 2027/28 would be brought back to the IJB as required. 4. IMPLICATIONS 4.1 Financial Scottish Government has confirmed funding of £157,500 for the period 1 September 2026 to 31 March 2027. Any additional costs, contractual liabilities or funding gap beyond the confirmed Scottish Government allocation would require to be clarified through contract and finance due diligence. There is currently no confirmed Scottish Government funding for 2027/28, although Scottish Government has committed to working with Ayrshire and Arran partners and the DBI Central Team to consider continuation. 4.2 Human Resources There are no direct Health and Social Care Partnership staffing implications identified from the continuation of the commissioned service. There may be implications for the service provider depending on the option approved, particularly in relation to workforce retention, mobilisation or service cessation planning. 4.3 Legal Any decision to extend or vary the current contractual arrangement must be managed in accordance with procurement, contract and governance requirements. The temporary extension to 30 September 2026 has been made under delegated authority to maintain continuity pending IJB consideration. 4.4 Equality/Socio-Economic Continuation of DBI may support people experiencing emotional distress, including those who may face barriers to accessing mainstream services. If the service ceases, there may be equality and socio-economic implications for people who benefit from early, community-based support. Any longer-term proposal should consider whether an equality impact assessment is required.
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4.5 Risk The principal risks relate to service continuity, contractual arrangements, public and partner communication, and uncertainty regarding funding beyond 31 March 2027. Accepting the Scottish Government funding reduces the immediate risk of service cessation but does not remove the longer-term sustainability risk. The overall risk is assessed as moderate. 4.6 Community Wealth Building Continuation of the service may contribute to community wellbeing by providing local, person-centred support for people experiencing distress and by strengthening connections with community-based supports and third sector provision. 4.7 Key Priorities The proposal supports strategic priorities relating to early intervention, prevention, mental health and wellbeing, and supporting people to access the right help at the right time. 5. CONSULTATION The Scottish Government request follows recent discussions with NHS Ayrshire and Arran partners. Further engagement will be required with the current provider, DBI Central Team, Scottish Government, operational leads and relevant referring agencies depending on the option approved by the IJB. Caroline Cameron, Director / Chief Officer Author: Karen Andrews, Team Manager (Governance) Appendices • Appendix 1: Letter from Scottish Government regarding Distress Brief Intervention Programme in Ayrshire and Arran
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St Andrew’s House, Regent Road, Edinburgh EH1 3DG www.gov.scot αβχδε αβχδεφγ α Mental Health and Social Care & National Care Service Development Directorate Donna Bell, Co-Director E: donna.bell@gov.scot αβχδ To: Caroline Cameron carolinecameron@north-ayrshire.gov.uk Cc: Karen Andrews kandrews@north-ayrshire.gov.uk 24/07/2026 Dear Caroline, Distress Brief Intervention Programme in Ayrshire and Arran Thank you for the recent discussions regarding the Distress Brief Intervention (DBI) Programme within Ayrshire and Arran. We are able to provide £157,500 for the remainder of the year running through to March 2027. We are also happy to provide a further letter confirming this to allow for an extension with Penumbra to be put in place if that would be helpful. Given the above, I would be grateful if you could engage with your Integrated Joint Board and ask them to consider the request to continue the DBI programme with £157,500 being provided for the 7 months of 1st September 2026 through to 31st March 2027 at their next meeting. Scottish Government would also commit to working, alongside DBI Central team and Ayrshire and Arran, for the following financial year (2027-28) to look at how DBI can be continued. Please let me know if you require any more information to enable you to progress this. Yours sincerely Donna Bell Co-Director of Mental Health and Social Care & National Care Service Scottish Government