South Lanarkshire Integration Joint Board – Composite Social Care Services.
| Title | South Lanarkshire Integration Joint Board – Composite Social Care Services. |
|---|---|
| Council Resource | Social Work |
| Aims and Objectives | This impact assessment report provides a summary of the individual EQIAs associated with the proposed social care savings options and the management and operational actions outlined in the Integration Joint Board (IJB) Financial Plan 2024/2025. The interdependencies and the impact from an equality and diversity perspective are highlighted. In order to secure recurring financial sustainability in the context of significant pressures on public sector funding, both nationally and locally, the IJB approved the adoption of a Sustainability and Value Programme in September 2023 with the aim of achieving savings while maintaining statutory services and public protection. As a result of this, proposed savings options will be presented to the IJB for approval with the aim of assisting the IJB to deliver a balanced budget for 2024/25 in line with its statutory duties. The management and operational actions which are currently being progressed at pace are also included in the IJB Financial Plan 2024/2025 for noting. In line with the strategic commitments set out in the IJBs Strategic Commissioning Plan (SCP) 2022-25, supporting people to live at home continues to be the focus. Where this is no longer possible, suitable/alternative community settings require to be identified and supported. The need to promote early intervention and prevention to encourage and enable self-care and self-management continues to be emphasised. This impact assessment focuses on the proposed savings options including Care at Home, Care Homes and Equipment and Adaptations. |
| Conclusion | The IJB has consulted extensively (2015 to present) on three SCPs to date, all of which have resulted in a common set of strategic priorities and intentions which have remained consistent across the three iterations of the plans. In relation to the current proposals, a range of consultation has been undertaken, including extended sessions with IJB members and IJB Voting Members https://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/slhscp/info/2/integration_joint_board who participated in workshop sessions. Whilst not decision-making forums, these interactive sessions provided the opportunity for IJB members to consider, inform, scrutinise and challenge potential proposals presented in draft. The South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Forum has also contributed to the overall process, representing the views of the public on health and social care matters. Recurring themes from all of this activity can be summarised as follows: - Recognition that the themes and direction set out in the SCP remain relevant. - Wider understanding of the financial context within which health and social care services operate. - Concerns regarding how services can cope with demand and tighter financial settlements. - Ensuring statutory services can be sustained. - Choice and control are important for people. - Local access to services is important e.g. GP access. The SCP 2022-25 can be located at the following hyperlink: https://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/slhscp/downloads/file/393/strategic_commissioning_plan_2022-2025_-_engaging_with_our_communities Given the overall financial position nationally and locally across public services, the assessment and eligibility framework will be applied to ensure critical and substantial risks and needs are addressed. The policies and proposals outlined in the above section will primarily impact upon: - Adults and older people living with long term conditions who may also have a level of frailty. - Adults with additional support needs, for example a learning disability or mental health issue. - Families and unpaid carers. - Social care staff across a range of providers of services. - Organisations who are commissioned partners in delivering social care services. The policy will introduce a range of proposed social care savings and management and operational actions which, as a result of increased pressure on resources, will mean that capacity within services will be affected. The services being referred to provide services to people with long term conditions, additional support needs and with a level of frailty. The policy may result in people having to wait longer for a service and any services provided will be targeted to those with critical and substantial need. Delivering statutory services to the most vulnerable will continue to be the priority regardless of the financial challenges being faced nationally and locally. Where it is feasible, existing services will be redesigned to allow for demand to be managed differently. The IJB is required to set a balanced budget. Any impact of this policy will be monitored through regular internal review with the monitoring of outcomes for individuals and through regular inspection by the Care Inspectorate. Progress of the policy will be reported through the IJB, Social Work Resources Committee and the senior management team. Health and social care services, similar to many other public services, are challenged to maintain a balanced budget within the current financial climate and growing demographics and demand for service. The proposed social care savings and management and operational actions that this overall social care services impact assessment refers to reflects the requirement to prioritise the delivery of statutory duties and to minimise the risk for those individuals with critical and substantial social care needs. It is recommended that this approach be approved to enable the IJB to meet the statutory duties set out in the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 and other associated legislative duties. Agreed by the South Lanarkshire Integration Joint Board on 26th March 2024. |
| Contact Email address | equalities@southlanarkshire.gov.uk |