Scottish Government

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT REFERENCE GROUP ON SELF-DIRECTED SUPPORT

MEETING 30 OCTOBER 2008

Present

Jack Blaik City of Edinburgh Council

Tim Brett Convention of Scottish Local Authorities

Heather Dall Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care

John Dalrymple In Control Scotland

Alex Davidson Joint Improvement Team Associate

Kathleen Donnelly Capability Scotland

(for Mark Bevan)

Norman Dunning ENABLE Scotland

Kate Fearnley Alzheimer Scotland-Action on Dementia

Paula Gilder Paula Gilder Consulting (Researcher)

Susan Henderson Association of Directors of Social Work (ADSW)

(for Margaret Petherbridge)

Tony Homer Tony Homer Consulting (Researcher)

Myra McCabe Telford College

Gloria McLoughlin Scottish Care at Home

Maureen McPeak Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living

Diane Paton Thistle Foundation

Pete Richmond City of Aberdeen Council

Helena Scott Age Concern Scotland

(for Ann Ferguson)

Sam Sinclair Camphill

Austen Smyth Richmond Fellowship Scotland

Janice Toner Association of Directors of Social Work (ADSW)

Scottish Government

Jean MacLellan (Chair) Adult Care and Support

Chris Bruce Joint Improvement Team

(for Mike Martin)

Chris Raftery Self-directed Support

Emma Sinclair Self-directed Support

Sarah Stewart Self-directed Support

Dorothy Warren Self-directed Support (minutes)

Apologies

Lisa Curtice Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability

John Dreghorn Argyll and Bute Community Health Partnership

Ann Ferguson Age Concern Scotland

Annie Gunner Community Care Providers Scotland

Nigel Henderson Penumbra

Jan Killeen Alzheimer Scotland-Action on Dementia

Malcolm Matheson Key Housing Association

Margaret Petherbridge Association of Directors of Social Work

Carolyn Roberts Scottish Association for Mental Health

Henry Simmons Alzheimer Scotland

Jennifer Stoddart Carers Team, Scottish Government

Hilary Third Equality Unit, Scottish Government

Sylvia Wyatt Shifting the Balance of Care, Scottish Government

Jean welcomed members to the meeting of the self-directed support reference group. Jack Blaik, Austen Smyth and Alex Davidson were reintroduced to act as part-time seconded project managers for the new test sites. Sarah Stewart will be leaving the Scottish Government to start work as an outward secondee with the Funding Independence Team in Edinburgh Council on 3 November.

2. Report of 3 June meeting

The minutes were accepted as an accurate record of the meeting.

3. Update from Scottish Government

Test Sites Proposal

The Minister for Public Health has made clear that whilst SDS is to be offered to everyone, it is not to be imposed on anyone. What the test sites will do is to clarify the boundaries of what can be achieved.

The Scottish Government and COSLA have now agreed the way forward for the test sites. The main themes of the three pilots are as follows:

· Invest to Save - Bridging finance

· Leadership and training throughout all levels in local authorities on self-directed support

· Cutting red tape - light touch auditing notably through new CIPFA guidance on direct payments.

The geographical location of test sites is yet to be confirmed, but will include urban, remote and rural areas.

SDS Statistics

Members received copies of the latest statistics release which show a 14% increase with 2605 people now in receipt of SDS. However, despite this overall increase, numbers in some local authorities, namely Clackmannanshire, Falkirk, Highland and Orkney have decreased. The group agreed that it is important to analyse what has led to these changes.

Action

• Send copies of minutes of Direct Payments for Older People working group to Kate Fearnley (action Dorothy)
• Tim putting on agenda for COSLA and Janice raising issue with Margaret Petherbridge.

Workforce Research

Chris informed members that research is being commissioned to scope the complexities of workforce needs - both in terms of roles and tasks and numbers of staff required. It is hoped that the contractor will be in place by Christmas and report back next summer. The main objective will be to review the growth and development of the Personal Assistant workforce throughout Scotland. Work will also look at support for SDS clients as employers which has been flagged up as a major barrier.

The group discussed this proposal and offered Chris some refinements and additions.

CIPFA Guidance

Chris informed the group that CIPFA have previously issued guidance on direct payments in England and Wales but are now looking at Scottish specific guidance with an emphasis on outcomes for individuals. This will primarily be a financial document which will be launched at an event on 9 December.

Action

• Chris to check Audit Scotland has had sight of the CIPFA guidance.

Communication Strategy

Chris is devising a communication strategy to up the profile of SDS in Scotland. This will include:

• a new website for Scotland
• Emailing of key updates
• Production of a DVD on SDS
• The sharing of good practice and success stories
• Use of press and broadcast media
• More joint working within Government

National Centre for Adult Care and Support

A national centre for adult care and support was announced at the Glasgow Care Providers Symposium on SDS held on 29 October. It will be a catalyst for change and improvement across all adult support and protection as well as a means of disseminating good practice - including on SDS. The specification will issue in the Spring.

Workshops

Participants divided into 3 workshops to consider the draft strategy for SDS and the draft recommendations. Comments from the workshops will be incorporated into the strategy.

Action

• Emma to revise strategy for next meeting.

5. Next meeting

Members agreed a tentative date of Thursday 26 February for the third meeting of the SDS roundtable. However, due to meeting room availability this has been rescheduled to Thursday 5 March (meeting 2 to 4 pm, buffet lunch available from 1:15 pm).