IJB Director's Report - 19-6-25
North Ayrshire Council · 19 June 2025
Back to Integration Joint Board — 19 June 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 19th June 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 SDS Self Directed Support PA Personal Assistant PVG Protection of Vulnerable Groups CEDS Community Eating Disorder Service CHES Collaboration for Health Equity in Scotland NEST Neurodevelopmental Empowerment and Strategy Team ADP Alcohol & Drug Partnership PSST Prevention and Service Support Team NADARS North Ayrshire Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Services PEAR Prevention, Early Intervention and Recovery Service COSLA Convention of Scottish Local Authorities 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.
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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 Social Work Governance Thematic Review The Review of Social Work Governance and Assurance across Scotland was published on 6th May 2025. The report presents the key messages from the review of how well social work governance and assurance arrangements support leaders to ensure statutory duties are carried out safely and effectively, enable staff to be supported and effective in their practice and assist staff to uphold core social work values. It includes reflections for social work services and partners Scotland wide to consider in order to improve outcomes for people. The review found that overall, social work leaders and managers in Scotland worked effectively within often complicated governance arrangements. In most cases these arrangements were well understood by staff. Social work assurance was mostly effective and overall staff felt supported to deliver effective services. However, inspectors also found that Scotland’s social work services were finding it challenging to match supply with demand and this was exacerbated by increased levels of complexity of need and risk. This meant that social work was at risk of being unable to fulfil its statutory duties in some service areas. North Ayrshire was highlighted as an area of good practice within the report. 3.2 Care Reform (Scotland) Bill The Care Reform (Scotland) Bill passed Stage 3 in Parliament on 10th June 2025, the Bill was previously known as the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill. The Bill has significantly changed from that proposed as part of the NCS Bill, with legislation now focussing on: • Delivery of Anne’s Law which will uphold the rights of care home residents to see their loved ones. • Establishes a legal right to unpaid breaks for unpaid carers.
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• Creates a Chief Social Work Advisor role to provide professional leadership and champion the sector as part of a National Social Work Agency. • Improve access to independent advocacy. • Bring forward a new digital integrated health and care record through information sharing improvements, including sharing of information with individuals. • Changes to procurement and commissioning of social care services with a focus on ethical commissioning through the development of tools and guidance to support delivery at a local level. A National Care Service Advisory Board is currently being established to drive progress and scrutinise reform, replacing an interim board which met in May 2025. 3.3 Charter for Rights for People Affected by Substance Use As part of the Scottish Government’s National Mission on Drugs to reduce drug related deaths and improve lives, a National Collaborative was established to integrate human rights into drug and alcohol policy, leading to better outcomes for people affected by substance use. A Charter of Rights and supporting Toolkit have been co-designed by a Change Team with life experience and through extensive consultation with people affected by substance use and with people responsible for design, delivery and monitoring of substance related support services. The Charter outlines key rights which are drawn from both national and international law and describes how they apply to people affected by substance use. It also contains general information on feedback, complaints and advocacy. The Toolkit provides practical guidance to both duty-bearers and rights-holders, including guidance on taking a Human Rights-Based Approach and a checklist to support assessment of the right to health in practice. Emerging practice will be captured to share ideas and learning as a human rights- based approach is developed and delivered by duty bearers. The Scottish Government has made a commitment to bring forward the Human Rights Bill in the next parliament if they are returned to government. Using a human-rights- based lens now will help in preparation for any new legislation. The Charter and Toolkit are a guide to good practice and align with the Scottish Government’s key priority of ensuring high quality and sustainable public services. 3.4 Drugs and Alcohol Workforce Knowledge and Skills Framework The Scottish Government has now published the Drugs and Alcohol Workforce Knowledge and Skills Framework. The Framework serves as a guide for practitioners,
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commissioners, managers and service providers to understand the knowledge and skills required by the drugs and alcohol workforce, in addition to any professional or clinical standards. The Framework is not mandatory and does not affect the rights and duties of employees and employers. The Framework does not replace existing standards. The Framework allows practitioners to demonstrate how they meet existing standards within their scope of practice. This is complemented by the Drugs and Alcohol Learning Directory. The Learning Directory gives staff access to a wide range of resources to help develop knowledge and skills. It’s designed to support personal and professional growth by providing the most up-to-date and relevant learning opportunities. 3.5 Rethink Dementia – New Campaign The Scottish Government's 'Rethink Dementia' campaign, in partnership with COSLA, has been launched and aims to challenge the stigma surrounding dementia. Dementia affects an estimated 90,000 people in Scotland, 3,000 of whom are under the age of 65. Insight informing the campaign highlighted that many people associate dementia with the later stage of the illness and therefore change their behaviour towards a friend or family member who has been diagnosed. Further information on supporting someone with a dementia diagnosis, can be found on the campaign page on the NHS Inform website. 3.6 Changes to PVG for Personal Assistants under SDS A new law came into force in April 2025 that makes it a legal requirement for Personal Assistants employed through Self-directed Support to join the PVG scheme. Disclosure Scotland, which manages the PVG scheme, has prepared information for Employers through Self-directed Support and PAs to help them understand the changes. More information, including the answers to some frequently asked questions, can be found in the PA Employer and PA handbooks below, or at the Disclosure Scotland website. Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG): For PAs Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG): For PA Employers 4. Ayrshire Wide Developments 4.1 Webinar Series Community Justice
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The Community Justice Ayrshire Partnership’s Community Justice Outcomes Improvement Plan contains a priority action to ‘support integration and reduce stigma by ensuring the community and workforce have an improved understanding and confidence in community justice’. To support this action, a Community Justice Information Series has been developed, which will involve a series of webinars being held throughout the year. The webinars are open to all partners and stakeholders working across Ayrshire, places can be booked for any of these by following the links below: What are community sentences? Wednesday 17 September, 2pm to 3pm Community justice – facts, figures and myth busting Wednesday 29 October, 2pm to 3pm How do we support people when they are leaving prison? Wednesday 3 December, 2pm to 3pm 5. North Ayrshire Developments 5.1 Membership Following a recent review by Lesley Bowie, Chair of NHSAA Board of Board member representation on IJBs across Ayrshire, Sharon Morrow, our NHS Board member will be replaced by Linda Semple, the current Chair of South Ayrshire IJB with effect from 12th June 2025, with Sharon joining South Ayrshire IJB from that date. Thanks to Sharon for her input over her short time on the North IJB and a warm welcome to Linda. 5.2 CHES Update The second North Ayrshire Collaborating for Health Equity Steering Group met on the 4th June 2025 to identify key priorities and areas of focus to be taken forward across partner agencies as part of the programme. A local data group has been established to identify key deprivation, health outcome and social determinants of the health indicators in North Ayrshire to ensure an evidenced based approach to the programme. 19 data representatives from across a range of partners met to identify and map at three geographic levels: • Local Authority • Locality (total of 6) • Intermediate zones (total of 38)
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The following approach was used: From the evidence available the Steering Group agreed to and enhanced focus initially on Marmot Principles: 1. Give every child the best start in life, 3. Create fair employment and good work for all, and 6. Strengthen the role and impact of ill health prevention. The Steering Group then prioritised by localities with Irvine, the Three Towns, and the Garnock Valley identified to deliver the biggest gains through proportionate universalism, resource realignment and enhanced supports. The next steps are to adopt a ‘deep dive’ approach for the three identified principles across the agreed geographies, which will include partners providing further management and locally available information to develop further understanding of local challenges and opportunities. An engagement working group has also been formed and will meet on the 24th June 2025 with leads from the Third Sector Interface, The Ayrshire Community Trust, HSCP, Public Health and North Ayrshire Council Connected Communities to inform and co-produce the involvement of the community in the CHES programme. The programme continues to be supported by Public Health Scotland and the Institute of Health Equity with a national CHES External Advisory Group also established. 5.3 Peace of Mind Drop in Event Peace of Mind is an innovative programme aimed at reducing social exclusion and isolation as a result of a disability, impairment or long-term health condition, with a
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particular emphasis on people who do not receive statutory services but still need support. The service is holding its next drop-in information event on Tuesday 24 June from 1pm to 4pm at the George Steven Centre, Craigton Road, Kilbirnie, where anyone can go along and find out more about how it works, pick up some leaflets and learn how to get involved. 5.4 Practice Standards Learning and Development Update Recent activity within the Practice Standards Learning & Development Team during the first quarter of 2025 has centred around the continuing “Growing our Own” annual sponsorship opportunities for the Social Work Degree. There are currently 12 employees being sponsored to undertake the degree qualification; they are all at varying stages of the process with four qualifying as social workers in the summer of this year and a further two in the summer of 2026. This and the recent application process for the 2025/26 cohort where three employees were successful in gaining a place on the programme contributes to the ongoing drive to increase staff sufficiency across social work services. Recent SSSC Annual Workforce Data Report shows there was an increase of 23% in the social work workforce in NAHSCP. This is testament to the implementation of the “Be the Best You can Be” Learning and development Strategy 2023/28 which outlines the qualification pathways and annual development offers to staff. Our Commitment to developing and valuing the workforce also extends to additional post qualifying opportunities where there is a theme of increasing demand and uptake of qualifications including Child and Adult Protection Post Qualifying Certificates and the uptake of the Professional Development Award in Practice Learning which again supports the sustainability of robust social work student placement opportunities. During the past few months two Social Work employees embarked on a pilot programme from Robert Gordon University to deliver a local bespoke MHO Award which offers the opportunity for learning directly related to local practice. Both are nearing completion of the qualification and will then practice as dispersed MHO’s in North Ayrshire and a further two employees will commence the award in September. 5.5 New Video – NEST The Neurodevelopmental Empowerment and Strategy Team (NEST) has produced a new video to help members of the public get the most out of searching for local sources of support via the NEST website. The video, which is on the NEST website and NAHSCP YouTube channel, looks at how to use the search function to find specific services in your area, how to browse all services if you’re not sure which type of support could be useful, and where to find
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accessibility options on the site. It also highlights how to get in touch if you can’t find the support you are looking for. The video will be shared regularly on the NAHSCP Facebook and X pages. The NEST Hub is full of useful resources for neurodivergent people and their families, and a diagnosis isn’t required to access it. Individuals can also find lots of helpful advice and tips, as well as news on upcoming workshops and activities, on the NEST Facebook page. 5.6 Opening of West Road, Irvine A new centre that aims to change the way the residents of Ayrshire and Arran receive mental health care has been officially opened by North Ayrshire Provost Anthea Dickson. The West Road Centre in Irvine is our new base for outpatient services for the all-age Community Eating Disorder Service (CEDS) and the Neuro-CAMHS team (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service), providing a modern space for individuals to receive the support they need. The building, which is owned by North Ayrshire Council, was previously used by North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership’s Child and Family Disability Service. It has recently undergone an extensive refurbishment to create a calm and welcoming environment designed specifically to suit the needs of clients and staff teams, with a treatment room, kitchen area, clinical rooms, and a sound-proof therapeutic room that can be used for activities such as music therapy.
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5.7 Donation for young People in Care Many young people coming into care often do so with their belongings in carrier bags. While searching for reusable bags to be given to young people in this situation, a social worker from the Garnock Valley Children and Families Team came across the award-winning bag brand Madlug. The Madlug movement came about in 2015, after founder Dave Linton was saddened to hear about children having their belongings moved in this way and set out to make a difference. The company now operates on a ‘buy one, wear one, help one’ basis, where for every bag sold through the website, a free travel bag is donated to a child in care. It worked with care experienced young people, as well as health trusts and local authorities, to develop a pack-away bag that is centred around the needs of children and young people in care. The bag itself is unbranded to avoid stigma, with each bag also having a label that reads “you are incredible,” reminding every child and young person that they have value and dignity. After a successful application, Madlug has now very kindly donated two large boxes of bags to the team. 5.8 ADP Early Intervention and Prevention Schools Partnership This year saw the first Education and Prevention Roadshow for all S1 pupils across our North Ayrshire schools with around 1,285 participants. Partners from PSST, Children First, KA Leisure, NADARS, Turning Point PEAR, Police Scotland and Trading Standards were keen to be involved and deliver workshops about vaping, stigma, keeping safe, lived experience, myth busting and getting a better understanding of the impact of alcohol and drugs on health, families and our communities. The feedback from schools and young people has been positive and plans are underway to further develop and deliver the roadshow in session 2025/26 for the new S1’s. A six-week alcohol and drug prevention programme has been developed and delivered for our young people attending Extended Outreach this has been requested again and will be delivered to a new cohort of young people in the new session.
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In October 2025, all North Ayrshire secondary schools have been offered a performance for S3 pupils from the TIE theatre company funded by the ADP. Mark Wheellers ‘I Love You, Mum - I Promise I Won’t Die’ promises to be moving and thought-provoking to prompt discussion about the impact of recreational substance use exploring risk and the impact on families and communities. School staff will deliver a series of 4 lessons linked to the play to embed learning. In response to staff engagement the ADP in partnership with education is hosting an Education and Prevention conference on the 25th of November 2025 at the Riverside Lodge Hotel in Irvine. This multi-agency event will provide an opportunity to upskill staff and facilitate networking opportunities. Emily Broadis and Megan MacPherson, paediatricians and public health experts from NHS Ayrshire and Arran will attend to share the impact of vaping on children’s health outcomes. They will also talk about the progress being made within Ayrshire’s vaping taskforce. 5.9 New Poster Signposts to Youth Supports The recent NAHSCP Youth Engagement Survey highlighted some calls for support and the need for youth friendly resources. While we continue to analyse the data gathered from the survey in detail, we’ve created a poster featuring QR codes that link to sources of support across all of the topics raised. We’d really appreciate it if you could share this poster through any of the same channels where the original survey was distributed - whether that’s newsletters, social media, websites, or physical spaces. Our aim is to ensure that information and support are accessible to all young people who may need it. If anyone would like a PDF copy of the poster to print off and display, please contact nicolateager@north-ayrshire.gov.uk 5.10 Open Day Event – Castleview The HSCP Moving and Handling Team held an open day for unpaid carers on Wednesday 11th June, Castleview Hub, 97 Glasgow Street, Ardrossan. The event showcased 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.
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6. IMPLICATIONS 6.1 Financial None 6.2 Human Resources None 6.3 Legal None 6.4 Equality/Socio-Economic None 6.5 Risk None 6.6 Community Wealth Building None 6.7 Key Priorities None 7. 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