Savings programme 2024-25 – Self directed support optimisation integrated impact assessment

SDS Optimisation (SDS Advice Service)

Increase staff team within SDS Advice Service in order to; 1) complete annual reviews of people in receipt of care via SDS Option 1 (Direct Payment), 2) complete biennial reviews of people in receipt of care via SDS Option 2 (ILF), and 3) support eligible people to apply for the new ILF fund which is due to open to applications in April 2024.

This will ensure that peoples care needs are being met in a proportionate way and will help people maximise their income.

No public involvement is planned.

The Fairer Scotland Duty

No

Monday 19 February 2024

Name Job Title Date of IIA training
Nikki Conway Locality Manager – South East Lead Officer

EHSCP employee
Jack Blaik Senior Social Worker, SDS Advice Service EHSCP employee
Janne Solpark 3Cs Practice Lead EHSCP employee
Catherine Mathieson Cluster Manager – South East EHSCP employee
Vivienne Robertson Finance Officer CEC employee
Sarah Hayden Business Manager March 2022

Note taker and report writer
Rhiannon Virgo Project Manager Feb 2020

Facilitator
Lorraine MacFarlane Team Leader, Transactions Team CEC employee
Gemma Innes Independent Living Officer Stakeholder

Lothian CIL
Heather Colville Stakeholder

Lothian CIL
Antonis Samartzis Project Manager – Purchasing Project EHSCP Employee
Zoe McIntyre Stakeholder

Lothian CIL

Evidence Available – detail source Comments: what does the evidence tell you with regard to different groups who may be affected and to the environmental impacts of your proposal
Data on populations in need Population and demographics – Edinburgh Health & Social Care Partnership (edinburghhsc.scot) Provides current and projected data on the wider population in the City of Edinburgh
Data on service uptake/access Swift/AIS reporting on request.

National Benchmarking data

Allpay reporting of active accounts.

BACS reporting of active accounts.

Community Waits reports – updated and shared weekly.

 As of 18 May 2023 15% of care services in Edinburgh were provided via a DP.

2021/22 LGBF data shows good performance in Edinburgh for DP uptake.

Circa 1,150 Allpay accounts are currently active and used for DPs.

The number of active Allpay and BACS accounts fluctuates over time.

Access

Community Waits reports show the number of people awaiting an assessment, which has the potential to result in a DP being the preferred option for service delivery.
Data on socio-economic disadvantage e.g. low income, low wealth, material deprivation, area deprivation. Joint Strategic needs Assessment City of Edinburgh HSCP (2020) Provides current and projected data on the demographics within Edinburgh
Data on equality outcomes
Research/literature evidence
Public/patient/client experience information Complaints/ compliments

SDS Scotland post legislative scrutiny

 Details Scotland wide feedback from people on SDS.
Evidence of inclusive engagement of people who use the service and involvement findings Complaints/ compliments

Care assessment
Evidence of unmet need VOCAL Edinburgh Carers Survey Biennial survey gathering the views of carers looking after people in Edinburgh.
Good practice guidelines Procedure document

SDS Factsheet

Financial Management of SDS

Policy

 DP Recovery procedure being drafted.

Produced by Self-directed Support Scotland.

CIPFA guidance for financial managers to support flexible use of DP’s whilst adhering to the principles of SDS legislation.

SDS Policy being drafted for May 2024.
Carbon emissions generated/reduced data
Environmental data
Risk from cumulative impacts
Other (please specify)
Additional evidence required Swift/AIS reporting on request. Requested updated figures.

Equality, Health and Wellbeing and Human Rights  Affected populations
Positive

  • Increased support/education available for people using or considering using Direct Payments or ISF, and for their families and carers.  A dedicated team will help people with low literacy or digital literacy as they will be available to give advice.
  • This may help to keep carers, and particularly women, in employment, as there will be less uncertainty over available support and how it may be used.
  • Being clearer at the outset about the parameters of a DP will reduce the potential for unintentional misuse or misunderstanding of what it can be used for, which will decrease anxiety for individuals and carers. People have expressed anxiety about having unspent funds in their accounts, so speeding up the reclaim will mitigate against this.
  • Person-centred, supportive reviews will help people to understand why changes may be made, and to ensure that they feel comfortable with this.
  • Carers can be reluctant to use DPs as they can add to stress, and a greater emphasis on/support with ILF would be beneficial.
  • Increased education for staff on SDS options and management, including developing a staff toolkit and ongoing learning/training options.  This would also include supporting staff to have difficult conversations when they identify misuse of payments.
  • More regular reviews will be positive to ensure people feel supported and are able to better use their DP to support their assessed need.
  • Reviews being completed by one team would ensure a consistent approach to reviews which should improve people’s experiences.
  • Support people with ILF applications will enable them to live more independently and improve their quality of life.
  • Could result in people moving to more appropriate SDS options and choosing how their care needs are met.
 All adults accessing services, including older adults, people of middle years, young adults, adults with physical or learning disabilities, long-term conditions, mental health issues or sensory loss.

Carers, and particularly women.

People with low levels of literacy or digital literacy

Staff

People with a disability
Negative

  • There may be an increase in volume of work for supporting teams eg Transactions in processing DPs, however, this may be mitigated by process improvement work.
  • People where English isn’t their first language might find it harder to manage a DP.
  • People suffering addictions or mental health may have issues in accessing DPs.
  

Staff

People where English isn’t their first language.

People with addictions or MH problems
Environment and Sustainability including climate change emissions and impacts Affected populations
Positive

None identified.

  
Negative

None identified.

  
Economic  Affected populations
Positive

  • Improved practice around financial management will ensure that the Partnership is delivering best value.
  • Improved advice for the person on how to appropriately use SDS funds will improve financial stability.
  • Improved access to a new form of funding will improve people’s financial stability.
  • Regular reviews will reduce requests for support from staff and people on third sector organisations.
  • Proposal could address people’s negative perception of DP’s through person centred conversations.
 All adults accessing services, including older adults, people of middle years, young adults, adults with physical or learning disabilities, long-term conditions and sensory loss.

3rd sector
Negative

  • Some people may have the perception that reclaiming unspent monies will affect them financially.
  • Right sizing of packages of care, if reduced too much it could make it difficult for people recruit and retain their own services.
  • Reducing contingency budget from 18% to 15% could make it difficult for people to meet their responsibilities as an employer.
 All adults accessing services, including older adults, people of middle years, young adults, adults with physical or learning disabilities, long-term conditions and sensory loss.

Services associated with this proposal will be provided across CEC, voluntary and/or private sector organisations, most of which are commissioned or purchased by the Partnership. All equality, human rights, environmental and sustainability issues are covered by the Contractual or Framework Agreements, good practice guidance or the contracted terms and conditions.  Where it is required continued oversight, monitoring and assured sustainability will be provided by the Partnership.

All communications plans/ strategies will be compliant with;

  • UK Government guidance on Accessible Communication formats (2021); and
  • The Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

Consideration will also be given to the use of different mediums and channels for sharing information.

If this proposal is agreed, a full communications plan will be developed as part of the implementation process.

If yes, it is likely that a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) will be required and the impacts identified in the IIA should be included in this.

Not applicable

If further evidence is required, please note how it will be gathered. If appropriate, mark this report as interim and submit updated final report once further evidence has been gathered.

In relation to the contingency %, evidence to be gathered from neighbouring authorities to determine the contingency they use.

Specific actions (as a result of the IIA which may include financial implications, mitigating actions and risks of cumulative impacts) Who will take them forward (name and job title Deadline for progressing Review date
Request for updated DP uptake information. Sarah Hayden 8th March 2024
Transaction team have already increased their staffing numbers to cope with increased demand.

Workload of supporting teams to be monitored to ensure no negative impact in DP processing time.

 Lorraine Macfarlane/ Andrea Ritchie Ongoing monitoring Quarterly
Annual reviews should high-light any issues as a result of right sizing a DP. SDS Advice Service Ongoing monitoring Monthly

Mitigating actions have been identified for all negative impacts.

Monthly project board meetings will take place to review any impacts that arise.

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