Report identifies major strengths in East Ayrshire's delivery of self-directed support
The Care Inspectorate has published its findings from a ‘Thematic review of self-directed support in Scotland’.
The East Ayrshire local partnership report published today (27 June 2019) finds supported people to be very positive about their outcomes and that self-directed support has ‘helped transform their lives’.
For the seven quality indicators assessed, the scrutiny body found East Ayrshire to be ‘very good’ on four and ‘good’ on three.
Across the workforce, the regulator finds a clear understanding and commitment to choice and control and good conversations with people to achieve their personal outcomes. The Inspectorate underlines a ‘can do culture’ and a ‘track record’ of participation and engagement.
In terms of getting support at the right time, the report finds that good conversations take place in almost all cases on what matters to people and the options available to realise this. Inspectors highlight the positive role of partnership with the Community Brokerage Network, Ayrshire Independent Living Network and East Ayrshire Advocacy Service.
The Care Inspectorate finds ‘good evidence of a range of community supports’ and a ‘strong ethos’ and commitment to the principles of self-directed support. The report specifically comments on the ‘energy, enthusiasm and commitment’ of the workforce in working with people to achieve their personal outcomes.
Inspectors note strong leadership, planning and commitment to partnership working across all stakeholders and encouragement to work with supported people to produce creative solutions.
Particular areas of good practice identified in the report are:
- Thinking Differently Programme Board
- SDS Finance Officers
- Thinking Differently Peer Mentors
- Community Brokerage
Eddie Fraser, Director of East Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “I very much welcome this report and am delighted that the values we hold dear in how we work with people feature so prominently. The positive nature of this external scrutiny report reflects the daily efforts of our whole workforce – including the core partners named in the document. It is only right that the energy, enthusiasm and commitment of everyone involved in delivering good outcomes in partnership with supported people is highlighted in this way. Our evaluation of areas for improvement has been confirmed by the report and we will continue to develop our approach guided by the Care Inspectorate’s recommendations.”
The full report can be found on the Care Inspectorate website: http://www.careinspectorate.com/index.php/publications-statistics/120-inspection-reports-local-authority/self-directed-support