IJB Director's Report - 25-9-25
North Ayrshire Council · 25 September 2025
Back to Integration Joint Board — 25 September 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 25th September 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 LS/CMI Comprehensive general offending assessment and case management planning method. CMI HMIPS HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland 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.
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3. CURRENT POSITION National Developments 3.1 Palliative Care Matters for All : Palliative Care Strategy (2025-30) Scottish Government’s palliative care strategy has been recently published, this highlights the changes needed to improve experiences of people of all ages with life shortening conditions and their families and carers. Palliative Care Strategy 2025 – 2030 Palliative Care Delivery Plan 2025 – 2028 - Scottish Government The delivery plan includes 23 actions grouped into six action groups: 1: Enabling Communities 2: Delivering Palliative Care 3: Future Care Planning in Palliative Care 4. Education and Learning in Palliative Care 5. Palliative Care Data and Experiences 6: Governance and Reporting for Palliative Care Integration Authorities and Health Boards are noted as delivery partners under all actions. A more detailed breakdown of action points relevant to IJBs is also included. The HSCP will undertake a self-assessment against the actions to ensure our services are aligned with the priorities in the strategy and delivery plan. 3.2 Prison Based Social Work Review : Phase 2 Care Inspectorate and HMCIP have notified of their intention to undertake Phase 2 of the review of prison-based social work services in Scotland. This review is being carried out under Sections 53 and 115 of the Public Service Reform (Scotland) Act 2010. The work will commence in August 2025 and concludes in April 2026. A Thematic Review of Prison-Based Social Work (2024) was undertaken in partnership by the Care Inspectorate and HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland (HMIPS). Phase 2 will therefore also be undertaken in collaboration with HMIPS. Within the Thematic Review of Prison-Based Social Work a further phase of work with a specific focus on the efficiency and effectiveness of prison-based social work practice was agreed. The focus of Phase 2 will therefore be on the execution and results of prison-based social work practice and linked SPS processes in relation to the use of LS/CMI. The LS/CMI is a comprehensive general offending assessment and case management planning method. It is used by all community and prison-based justice social work services in Scotland to aid decisions on the level and focus of intervention with people (aged 16+) who have been involved in offending.
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3.3 Online Tool to Support Young People with Additional Support Needs through Transitions Compass is free online tool offering support to young people with additional support needs – and the adults in their lives – throughout the transition to adulthood. With separate versions for young people, parents/carers and professionals, this interactive digital platform contains up-to-date information and advice, all in one place, and is accessible at any time. Compass is tailored to the individual, so it’s always relevant and specific, saving time and reducing stress. It helps young people explore what matters to them and allows them to share their thoughts, as well as giving parents and carers an individual transitions timeline and highlighting key actions at each stage. Additionally, it can guide professionals through the statutory duties that apply to transitions and supports a joined-up approach. Compass was developed by ARC Scotland, working with young people and their families. To find out more, or to sign up, visit the Compass website. If you require any additional information, please contact Dominic.Jarrett@aapct.scot.nhs.uk or fionadalziel@north-ayrshire.gov.uk. Ayrshire Wide Developments 3.4 Innovation in Health and Social Care Eent The next Ayrshire Innovation in Health and Social Care event, sharing support and experiences of innovation from health and social care across Ayrshire and nationally is taking place on 30th September 2025. Registrations for the next event on Tuesday 30 September are now open and based on previous feedback, will be a slightly smaller agenda to allow more time for questions. Speakers include : • David McColl, Deputy Director of Technology Services, NHS Education for Scotland, giving an update on the National Digital Front Door Project. • Julia McMurdie and Muhammad Shakir from the Ayrshire 5G Innovation Region, speaking about exciting plans for the health and social care sector. • Paula Baird from NHS Education for Scotland, speaking about their Digital and Data Capability Framework and self-assessment tool. • Thomas Griffin from South Ayrshire HSCP, who will present on their Technology Enabled Care Plan. • Kristin Carpenter from North Ayrshire HSCP, who will speak about the results of the network survey and plans for the future.
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3.5 NHS Ayrshire & Arran Quality Strategy On Tuesday 7 October, NHS Ayrshire & Arran is hosting a collaborative event at CentreStage, Kilmarnock, bringing together staff, students, volunteers and people with lived experience to help shape the next NHS Ayrshire & Arran Quality Strategy. It’s a chance to contribute, listen and collaborate in a meaningful way, to ensure that the next NHS Ayrshire & Arran Quality Strategy reflects the experiences, values and priorities of our patients and communities. • Get involved in the discussion • Share your ideas • Identify opportunities for change • Tell us what matters to you For more information on the event, or to register online, visit the NHS A&A website. North Ayrshire Developments 3.6 Shout for Support with Mental Health & Wellbeing North Ayrshire Council and NAHSCP have launched free, in the moment mental health support via text message thanks to a new partnership with Shout. This text- based service offers tailored support to people of all ages in North Ayrshire whenever they need it. To access the service, residents can text SUPPORTNA to 85258 to be connected there and then to a trained Shout volunteer. The service can provide confidential support with: • Anxiety and stress • Depression and sadness • Suicidal thoughts and self-harm • Panic attacks • Loneliness and isolation • Bullying and abuse Shout volunteers are on hand to help 24 hours a day, seven days a week, when things get tough or if you are feeling overwhelmed or need support.
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3.7 Learning Disability Awareness Week / Launch of LD Service Learning Plan The Learning Disability Awareness Week in September saw a host of events taking place nationally to celebrate this annual awareness raising campaign. Trindlemoss Day Opportunities in Irvine joined in the celebrations, with activities which include the popular TM Fest, as well as drop-in sessions with local visual artist Lynn McNally and Poet Simon Lamb. The theme for Learning Disability Week this year was ‘I Am Here’ - a theme chosen by people with learning disabilities themselves, demonstrating their continuing experience of often feeling excluded from jobs, healthcare, social events and culture. Much of the work undertaken by our North Ayrshire Learning Disability Service reflects this continuing experience of exclusion within communities, but it is evident that progress remains to be made. With this in mind, the LD Service has launched its new learning plan, which sets out the need for new thinking and practice to address long standing issues of exclusion, and the need for service users, carers, and other stakeholders to be meaningfully and consistently involved in generating those new ideas. The plan is made up of two documents – What Makes a Good Life and Living and Learning Together – which you can find on the NAHSCP website. A range of activities will take place in the months ahead as part of this ambition. If you would like to be involved in this, or would like to learn more about the LD Service's hopes for this process, please contact Dominic Jarrett (Learning Disabilities Development Manager) by emailing dominic.jarrett@aapct.scot.nhs.uk 3.8 Moving and Handling Information Sessions for Carers and Families Safety is paramount when caring for someone who requires the use of moving and handling equipment, so we’re offering families and carers the opportunity to attend a free Moving and Handling information session at Castleview Hub in Ardrossan on one of the following dates, with separate sessions running in the morning (9.30am to 12.30pm) and afternoon (1.30pm to 4.30pm). • Monday 29 September • Wednesday 22 October • Monday 17 November • Tuesday 9 December
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These sessions will cover the use of profiling beds, hoists and slings, slide sheets, commode chairs and more. Staff within the facility are trained in line with the Scottish Manual Handling Passport. Carers can book a place on one of these sessions by calling 07385 399 746 and leaving a message with their name, preferred date, and whether they want to attend the morning or afternoon session. Please note that there are 10 places available for each session, which will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. 3.9 Care at Home – Inspection Our Three Towns, North Coast and Arran Care at Home Service has received a very positive report from the Care Inspectorate after an unannounced inspection in August. The service, which supports almost 800 residents to live independently in their own homes, was rated ‘very good’ in terms of how well it supports people’s wellbeing, its leadership and staff team, with a number of significant strengths identified. It also received a rating of ‘good’ for its care and support planning. Inspectors spoke to 39 service users and 129 staff members, observed practice, and reviewed documents including care plans as part of the evaluation. The very positive inspection outcome reflects the continued high quality of care delivered by our skilled care at home staff and managers, congratulations to the whole team. If you’d like to read more, the inspection report can be downloaded from the Care Inspectorate website. 3.1- Overdose Awareness Day MINDS of Recovery and Cafe Solace hosted a deeply moving event to mark International Overdose Awareness Day on 29th August 2025. Recovery organisations, community members, and those affected by substance use came together to reflect, remember, and honour the lives lost. The day was filled with compassion and connection, with support from organisations including Children 1st, KA Leisure, Turning Point Scotland PEAR service, Police Scotland, Broken Chains, Cocaine Anonymous and Harbour Ayrshire. Guests were warmly welcomed with catering and refreshments provided by Cafe Solace in Irvine.
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The event also included a flower float ceremony at the Low Green in Irvine, offering a peaceful and symbolic moment of remembrance for those no longer with us. 3.11 First Digital Community Alarm Connection The Community Alarm team has completed its very first digital connection. Mrs Wilson from Irvine was delighted to be the first in North Ayrshire to have her alarm successfully upgraded to use digital communication, which connects directly to our monitoring centre. Moving to digital connectivity means even greater reliability and reassurance, helping us keep our service users safe at all times. Our community alarm team is already well under way with the reprogramming of alarms across our localities ahead of the switching off of analogue telephone lines in the UK in early 2027. 3.12 North Ayrshire Premiere of The Low Road Staff and partners attended t the North Ayrshire premiere screening of The Low Road on 9th September 2025 in the Harbour Arts Centre, Irvine. This film was developed by authentic voices of lived experience and is filled with hope and inspiration. As well as challenging stigma and raising awareness, the film can also be used as a tool in suicide prevention activities across communities. The screening event was followed with a Q & A with the film makers and coordinating staff within mental health services to explore how we might utilise this resource in our suicide prevention work across North Ayrshire services in the future. 3.13 Gambling Awareness / Gambling Harms in Children and Young People Workshop Arran Community and Voluntary Service, working in partnership with Ygam hosted a ‘gambling awareness and gambling harms in children and young people’ workshop on Tuesday 2nd September in Saltcoats Town Hall. This was attended by third sector and statutory services working with people under 25 and families in North Ayrshire. Participants will receive a City & Guilds Certificate and digital accreditation, and will also gain access to digital resources to support them within their role.
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Topics covered on the day included : • Why children and young people may game and/or gamble • Risk and associated harms • The influence of advertising, products, social media, in game purchases and digital convergence • The young brain: decision making, addiction and motivation • Barriers to seeking support • How to spot the signs of harm • How you can support the children and families you work with • Conversations, screening, planning, follow-ups and signposting 3.14 Call for Evidence – Health, Social Care & Sport Committee The HSCP have been invited to give evidence to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee’s Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Pathways and Support Inquiry. The inquiry seeks to: • understand why waiting times for diagnosis and management of ADHD and ASD are reportedly long, including the drivers of increasing demand • understand how these conditions are diagnosed and managed • understand the impact of delays on individuals • explore solutions to improve capacity of services, referral pathways and support The inquiry will consider the following in relation to neurodevelopmental pathways for ADHD and ASD: • referral pathways • assessment, criteria and treatment thresholds • waiting times • "waiting well" and support pre-diagnosis • transitions between services • funding • workforce • the impact on individuals of receiving a diagnosis or waiting for a diagnosis Thelma Bowers, Head of Mental Health & Learning Disability will attend to provide evidence to the Committee on 7th October 2025.
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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