Director's Report
North Ayrshire Council · 1 May 2025
Back to Integration Joint Board — 1 May 2025 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 1st May 2025 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
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3.1 Keeping Children Safe in Scotland As some maybe aware the Scottish Government have recently launched their new child protection resource called ‘Keeping children safe in Scotland’. This will be available at the following link https://childprotection-resource-scotland.co.uk ‘Keeping children safe in Scotland’ is an online resource that provides guides to child protection processes for children, young people and families who may become involved in the child protection process either directly as a child or parent/carer or as a member of the wider family, and for those who may be supporting a child. Although the guides can be accessed directly by children, young people and families, we would expect practitioners to support them when accessing the guides. Downloadable versions of the guides are also available to enable people to print off to read. 3.2 Suicide Prevention Campaign and Website On 16th April 2025, a new national suicide prevention public awareness campaign and a new national suicide prevention website was launched by Suicide Prevention Scotland The campaign features four members of the Suicide Prevention Scotland Lived and Living Experience Panel and is predominantly targeting messages towards adults, however, may also attract the attention of young people. Suicide Prevention Scotland's new website will provide information and key links to a range of centralised resources to support people experiencing thoughts of suicide, those who are worried for someone else or for those who have been bereaved by suicide. In the coming weeks, a further section for professionals will be launched as part of the next phase of the website’s development. As well as the webpage, Suicide Prevention Scotland will launch new social media channels on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, in addition to existing channels on X, YouTube, Medium, and Podbean. The website and social media channels are designed to increase visibility and action on suicide prevention and so may also lead to increases in help seeking/ presentations. 3.3 Audit Scotland Report – Primary Care Audit Scotland published their report on 27th March 2025 on primary care https://audit.scot/news/gp-plan-failing-to-deliver with the headline that the plan is “failing to deliver”. The Key messages within the report include: • Recognition of the role of general practice in relation to growing health demands and complexity, in a context where GP numbers are declining and concerns about access are increasing
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• Good analysis of the financial position including the (reducing) share of total NHS spend going to general practice • Concern about delays or inadequate implementation of key 2018 contractual commitments, including across the full range of MOU priorities, premises commitments (sustainability loans and lease transfers) and support for clusters. • Recommendations including a clearer delivery plan and clearer direction of travel to set out what is expected and deliverable. A local position statement on the report is being co-ordinated by East HSCP and will be shared with IJB members once available. North Ayrshire Developments 3.4 Appointments Following successful recruitment exercises, North HSCP has welcomed some new members to the management team. Lindsay Collins has been appointed as Senior Manager (Long Term Conditions) to replace Karen Turner who recently retired. Ailsa Weir commenced as Senior Manager (Island Services) to replace Ruth Betley who has also retired and Annie Johnson has been appointed as the new Principal Manager (Business Support) and will commence mid-June 2025, replacing Julie Davis who leaves mid-May 2025. 3.5 Money Smart Launch Our welfare rights and debt advice service for North Ayrshire residents will relaunch as ‘Money Smart’ on Thursday 1 May. The service incorporates the former Money Matters and Welfare Reform Advice teams, and will provide free, confidential and impartial welfare rights advice for all North Ayrshire Council tenants and a range of non-Council tenants (eligibility criteria applies). Debt and money advice is also available for North Ayrshire Council tenants via the service, as well as non-Council tenants who meet the eligibility criteria and who are receiving welfare rights advice from Money Smart.
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Information on the NAC and NAHSCP websites will also be updated on the launch date to reflect the changes, and new print materials will be issued to services and partners in the coming weeks. 3.6 Survey on Views of Young People on Services NAHSCP is currently seeking the views of young people on our services, and we are reaching out to teams to ask for your support in engaging with young people in our communities. As we work to better understand the perspectives and needs of young people, it is vital that their voices are heard through our online survey with any young people you work with, allowing them the opportunity to share their views and experiences with us. Links to the survey will be shared on the NAHSCP and NAC Youth Services social media channels, and in-person engagement will also take place over the coming weeks at Joint Youth Cabinet and through youth work provision. The data collected will be used in our Locality Planning process and our review of the Children’s Services Plan. 3.7 Digital Inclusion Survey North Ayrshire Learning Disability Service is currently working with the Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities (SCLD) and Scottish Care on a government-funded project addressing digital inclusion. The project currently involves a Care Connector, a role developed by Scottish Care and Glasgow School of Art, working in North Ayrshire to map and build on existing efforts to support digital inclusion generally - and specifically in relation to people with learning disabilities. Ultimately, the project aims to create a replicable, design-led model and resources to tackle digital exclusion sustainably and inclusively. To support this work, the project team has developed a brief questionnaire, designed to gather information about people's current awareness of and involvement in digital inclusion activity, and any experience or support needs they may have in relation to digital inclusion support for people with learning disabilities. The survey, which you can complete online, is relevant for all, whatever your current level of involvement in such activity.
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While the project as a whole has a focus on people with learning disabilities, it is anticipated that the outputs could have relevance to other marginalised groups. 3.8 Open Day for Unpaid Carers – Moving and Handling Our Moving and Handling Team is holding an open day for unpaid carers on Wednesday 11 June, from 10am to 3pm at the Castleview Hub, 97 Glasgow Street, Ardrossan. The event will showcase the support available to carers from a wide range of organisations, including dementia support services, Scottish Fire & Rescue, SP Energy Networks, AILN, Lemon Aid, and many more. No booking is required, those interested can just drop in on the day at a time that suits. Free refreshments will also be available. Our Castleview Hub are also running ongoing Moving and Handling information sessions for families and carers, to provide the skills and advice to families and carers in supporting their loved ones at home confidently and safely. Places are publicised and booking is required. 4. IMPLICATIONS 4.1 Financial None 4.2 Human Resources None 4.3 Legal None
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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