South Lanarkshire Integration Joint Board – HSCP11 Locality Team Redesign of Occupational Therapy Services
| Title | South Lanarkshire Integration Joint Board – HSCP11 Locality Team Redesign of Occupational Therapy Services |
|---|---|
| Council Resource | Social Work |
| Aims and Objectives | This aim of this policy is to accelerate the development of the multi-disciplinary approach and to strengthen the Assessment and Care Management Team capacity by redeploying up to 6 FTE Occupational Therapists (OT) to vacant posts. The OT establishment would therefore be reduced from 23 FTE to 17 FTE. This option also recognises the challenges associated with recruiting Social Workers. Action has already been taken to move to a multi-disciplinary approach within the Assessment and Care Management team. This is on the basis that there is a range of roles within the Assessment and Care Management team that can be undertaken by individuals who are not qualified Social Workers. OT staff redeployed to the Assessment and Care Management team would be moved into roles that would reflect and make best use of their skill set within the scope of their registration. OT staff redeployed would not undertake tasks that have to be undertaken by a qualified social worker. The OT budget would be reduced by £0.341m. This is based on 6 FTE Grade 3 Level 4 posts including oncosts and would support the Integration Joint Board (IJB) to achieve its statutory responsibility to set a balanced budget in 2024/25. |
| Conclusion | The Assessment and Care Management Team would be strengthened by the multi-disciplinary approach. Access to the Physical Disability and Sensory Impairment team may be affected. This proposal therefore is more likely to impact on older people and adults with a health condition which significantly impacts on their mobility. Initial consultation with staff and trade unions has taken place and will continue to progress following the decision taken by the IJB and Social Work Senior Management Team on whether the proposal is approved. 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 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. This proposal has the potential to negatively affect older people and adults with disabilities and those with long-term conditions, who may require to wait longer for an OT assessment. However, it is anticipated that redirecting those with low to moderate needs to independent providers will create capacity within the system and allow remaining staff to focus on those with substantial and critical needs. Recognising the challenges associated with recruiting Social Workers, this proposal will accelerate the development of the multi-disciplinary approach and will strengthen the Assessment and Care Management Team capacity through the redeployment of up to 6 FTE OTs to vacant posts. As highlighted above, this is on the basis that there are a range of roles within the Assessment and Care Management team that can be undertaken by individuals who are not qualified Social Workers. OT staff redeployed to the Assessment and Care Management team would be moved into roles that would reflect and make best use of their skill set within the scope of their registration. OT staff redeployed would not undertake tasks that have to be undertaken by a qualified social worker. Any impact of this policy will be monitored through review of individuals support plans, oversight of management information reports on waiting times and regular inspection by the Care Inspectorate. Progress of the change in policy will be reported through the IJB, Social Work Resources Committee and the senior management team. There is no evidence to indicate that the recommendation to reduce the OT workforce within the Physical Disability and Sensory Impairment team will have a detrimental impact on any of the specified equality groups. As highlighted above, recognising the challenges associated with recruiting Social Workers, this proposal will accelerate the development of the multi-disciplinary approach and will strengthen the Assessment and Care Management Team capacity. Agreed by the South Lanarkshire Integration Joint Board on 26th March 2024. |
| Completion date | March 2024 |
| Contact Email address | equalities@southlanarkshire.gov.uk |