COMMUNITY CARE PROVIDERS SCOTLAND
Quick policy reference guide – September 2007
This document is intended to guide you through the policy maze affecting community care providers, children’s services providers and housing support providers. It covers policy areas only in relation to these ‘provider’ issues, and in no way claims to represent all policy initiatives which might affect member organisations.
This document is updated approximately twice a year to take account of new policy developments, most recently in September 2007.
There are several ways to search this document:
· Alphabetically
· By CCPS classification (planning and partnership, workforce, standards and regulation, quality improvement, reviews, funding, legislation and organisations)
· Using the ‘find’ tool in the Edit menu to search for a particular word.
Hyperlinks are used throughout to help you to navigate through the document. Simply right click on a hyperlink (blue/underlined text) and select ‘open hyperlink’ to be taken to that section.
This document is designed for online use and not for use in hard copy; please be aware before printing this document that it currently runs to 81 pages.
Index A – Alphabetical Index
21st Century Social Work Review
A Vision for the Voluntary Sector – The Next Phase of Our Relationship
Achieving the Challenge
Action Plan for the Social Services Workforce
ADSW: Association of Directors of Social Work
Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007
Adults With Incapacity Act
Association for Real Change
Audit Scotland
BASW: British Association of Social Workers (BASW)
Best Value
Better Outcomes for Older People
Care 21
Care Commission
Care Commission Quality Assessment Framework
Care Commission Regulating for Improvement Project
Care home funding tripartite group
Care in Scotland campaign
Care in Scotland group
Care Inquiry
Changing Children’s Services Fund
Changing Lives
Closing the Opportunity Gap
Communities Scotland
Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002
Community Health Partnerships
Community Planning
Core Minimum Data Set
COSLA
COSLA Recruitment and Retention Task Force
The Crerar Review
Delayed Discharge
Delivering for Health
Dementia Services Development Centre
Direct Payments
Disclosure Scotland
Duplication working group (Registered Social Landlords Information Mapping Working Group)
E-care project
Early Years review
Essential Connections
EU directive on services of general interest
EU working time directive
Every Child Matters
Fire (Scotland) Act 2005
For Scotland’s Children
Free personal care
Full cost recovery
Futurebuilders
Getting it Right for Every Child
The Improvement Service
In Control
Integrated Assessment Framework for Children
Integrated children’s services planning
It’s Everyone’s Job to Make Sure I’m Alright
Joint Future
Joint Improvement Team
Joint inspection of children’s services
Joint inspection of services for people with learning disabilities
Kerr Report (The)
Learning Networks
Local Government in Scotland Act
Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Scotland Act
Mental Welfare Commission
National care standards review
National Workforce Group
National Workforce Strategy
NHS QIS
NHS reform bill
Our Health, Our Care, Our Say
OSCR: Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator
Partnerships in Practice
Performance Improvement Framework for Social Work
Protection of Children (Scotland) Act 2003
Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007
Range and Capacity Review of Services for Older People
Ready, Willing and Able
Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001
The Same As You
Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability
Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework
Scottish Development Centre for Mental Health
Scottish Executive Section 9 Funding
Scottish Executive Section 10 Funding
Scottish Federation of Housing Associations
Scottish Institute for Excellence in Social Work Education
Scottish Institute for Residential Child Care
Scottish Practice Learning Project
SCVO: Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations
Sector Skills Agreement
SSEC: Scottish Social Enterprise Coalition
SSSC: Scottish Social Services Council
Single Shared Assessment
Social Care Association
Social Enterprise
STRADA: Scottish Training on Drugs and Alcohol
Strategic funding review of the voluntary sector
Supporting Frontline Staff project (ADSW)
Supporting People
SWIA: Social Work Inspection Agency
Voluntary Health Scotland
Voluntary Sector Development Fund
Voluntary Sector Social Services Workforce Unit
Workforce Plus
Index B – CCPS classifications
Planning and partnerships
Workforce
Standards and regulation
Quality improvement
Reviews and policy documents
Funding
Legislation
Organisations
Planning and partnerships
Better Outcomes for Older People
Community Health Partnerships
Community Planning
E-care project
Essential Connections
Integrated Assessment Framework for Children
Integrated Children’s Services Planning
Joint Future
Joint Improvement Team
Joint Inspection of Children’s Services
Join Inspection of Services for People with Learning Disabilities
Partnership in Practice
Single Shared Assessment
Workforce
Achieving the Challenge
Action Plan for the Social Services Workforce
Care in Scotland campaign
Core Minimum Dataset
COSLA Recruitment and Retention Task Force
EU Working Time Directive
Learning Networks
National Workforce Group
National Workforce Strategy
Protection of Children (Scotland) Act 2003
Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007
Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework
Scottish Practice Learning Project
Sector Skills Agreement
SSSC
Supporting Frontline Staff initiative
Voluntary Sector Development Fund
Voluntary Sector Social Services Workforce Unit
Standards and Regulation
Care Commission
Care Commission Quality Assessment Framework
Care Commission Regulating for Improvement project
Disclosure Scotland
Duplication Working Group
Joint Inspection of Children’s Services
Joint Inspection of Services for People with Learning Disabilities
National Care Standards Review
OSCR
Protection of Children (Scotland) Act 2003
Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007
Quality/Improvement
Best Value
Care 21
Closing the Opportunity Gap
The Improvement Service
Performance Improvement Framework for Social Work
Reviews and policy documents
21st Century Review of Social Work
A Vision for the Voluntary Sector
Changing Lives
Crerar Review
Delivering for Health
Early Years Review
Every Child Matters
For Scotland’s Children
Free Personal Care
Getting it Right for Every Child
It’s Everyone’s Job To Make Sure I’m Alright
The Kerr Report
National Care Standards Review
Our Health, Our Care, Our Say
Range and Capacity Review of Services for Older People
Ready, Willing and Able
The Same As You
Workforce Plus
Funding
Best Value
Care Home Funding Tripartite Group
Changing Children’s Services Fund
COSLA care home fees/quality advisory group
Direct Payments
Full Cost Recovery
Futurebuilders Scotland
In Control
Scottish Executive Section 9 funding
Scottish Executive Section 10 funding
Social Enterprise
Strategic Funding Review of the Voluntary Sector
Supporting People
Voluntary Sector Development Fund
Legislation
Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007
Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000
Care Inquiry
Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002
EU Directive on Services of General Interest
EU Working Time Directive
Fire (Scotland) Act 2005
Local Government (Scotland) Act 2003
Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003
NHS Reform (Scotland) Act 2004
Protection of Children (Scotland) Act 2003
Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007
Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001
Organisations
ADSW
Association for Real Change (ARC)
Audit Scotland
BASW
Care Commission
Communities Scotland
COSLA
Dementia Services Development Centre
Mental Welfare Commission
NHS QIS
OSCR
SCLD
SCVO
SDCMH
SFHA
SIESWE
SIRCC
SSEC
SSSC
Social Care Association
STRADA
SWIA
VHS
VSSSWU
What is it? / In June 2004, Scottish Ministers initiated a fundamental review of social work in light of the increasing complexity and demand for services and as well as repeated messages arising from case reviews. The Review's main aims were to make best use of valuable social work resources and to strengthen the contribution of social work to the delivery of integrated services.
Key objectives were to
· clarify the role and purpose of social work
· build a strong improvement framework and robust inspection regime
· make best use of valuable social work resources
· strengthen leadership and management, giving clear direction to the service
· develop a competent confident work force
· modernise legislation.
The Review was presented to Ministers in October 2005 and a report ‘Changing Lives’ was published in February 2006. CCPS was pleased to note the importance placed by the review on the role of the voluntary sector, although was disappointed that this was not highlighted by the Minister as one of the key issues in the Scottish Executive response to the document. A key point made by CCPS members and picked up by the review related to the importance of better commissioning and joint working arrangements in the mixed economy of care.
Effect on providers / Providers will be affected by the findings of the review and future policies influenced by it.
CCPS involvement / CCPS was represented on the 21st Century Social Work Review Stakeholders group by Nick Baxter of Cornerstone Community Care.
CCPS organised a consultation event for members with the review team in April 2005.
CCPS submitted written evidence to the Review in July 2005 – click here to view
Members of the review team attended the March 2006 membership meeting.
See also / Changing Lives
More info / Scottish Executive website
Back to alphabetical list Back to reviews
A Vision for the Voluntary Sector – The Next Phase of Our RelationshipWhat is it? / Document “intended to provoke discussion and debate” about the future relationship between the Scottish Executive and the voluntary sector, published in December 2005.
After publication of the Vision, very little happened to change things for voluntary organisations. Following the May 2007 elections, a parliamentary question asking whether the new administration supported the Vision did not receive a conclusive answer.
Effect on providers / If the ideas suggested are implemented, providers could expect to have
- a greater role in local planning arrangements
- an increased role in service delivery
- more involvement in national policy creation
- an improved funding relationship with the Scottish Executive and others
CCPS involvement / The CCPS Policy Think Tank considered the Vision in preparing Ready, Willing and Able.
See also / Ready, Willing and Able
More info / Scottish Executive website
Back to alphabetical list Back to reviews
Achieving the ChallengeWhat is it? / Meeting the Challenge: Achieving a Confident, Competent Workforce was a joint Scottish Executive and European Social Fund project. The project aimed to support 650 Scottish social care workers towards a qualification relevant to their social care employment and their registration with the Scottish Social Services Council.
As European Structural Funds are divided by geographic areas, the project was separated into two sections:
Objective 3: Central Belt and North East Scotland: 450 places
Objective 1: Highlands & Islands: 200 places
The project provided support for individuals who were not already receiving funding towards a Scottish Vocational Qualification in Social Care.
The project is no longer running, due to a lack of funding.
Effect on providers / An opportunity to access funding for SSSC registration qualifications.
CCPS involvement / CCPS was one of the partners in the European Structural Funds (ESF) bid.
CCPS and the Voluntary Sector Social Services Workforce Unit were both represented on the steering group for the Achieving the Challenge project.
See also / sssc
More info
Back to alphabetical list Back to workforce
Action Plan for the Social Services WorkforceWhat is it? / The Action Plan was launched in 2002 by the (then) Minister for Education, Cathy Jamieson MSP. It set out twelve actions, including the Care in Scotland recruitment campaign, the new honours degree for social work, funding for management development training (now known as Leading to Deliver).
The plan has largely been superseded by the National Workforce Strategy.
Effect on providers / CCPS wrote to the Minister following the launch, highlighting the almost complete absence of reference to the voluntary sector in the document. This was rectified in subsequent initiatives.
CCPS involvement / See above.
See also / National Workforce Strategy
COSLA Recruitment and Retention Task Force
Care in Scotland campaign.
More info / Scottish Executive website
Back to alphabetical list Back to workforce
ADSW: Association of Directors of Social WorkWhat is it? / The Association of Directors of Social Work is a constituted group of senior Social Workers who work in Scottish local government. They come together to promote social welfare and social inclusion and the interests of those who use their services. They have established internal networks, on which all local authority Social Work Departments are represented, to disseminate research, information and best practice, discuss policy and thereon communicate their views. They also seek to enter into dialogue with partners and provide opportunities for consultation and conference, to discuss joint concerns whilst promoting and exploring the benefits of partnership and integrated working
Effect on providers
CCPS involvement / CCPS works with ADSW on specific issues. CCPS also belongs to the Care in Scotland group, of which ADSW is also a member, which addresses issues of common concern.
See also / Care in Scotland group
More info / www.adsw.org.uk
Back to alphabetical list Back to organisations
Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007What is it? / The Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Bill was passed on 15 February2007. The Bill's headline effect is that it gives new powers and responsibilities to local agencies to investigate any harm or risk of harm to adults living in care homes or in the community.
This Act covers policy previously referred to as ‘vulnerable adults’ legislation.
The main purpose of the Act is to
· Set up new multi-agency Adult Protection Committees to oversee adult protection policies locally
· Place a duty on a range of agencies to investigate suspected abuse
· Provide new powers to carry out assessments of the person and their circumstances
· Create a range of options for intervention to address and manage instances of abuse
The Act also extends powers which exist already in the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 and the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003.
The Act was passed quickly at the end of the last parliamentary session; much of the detail of the Act will come about through secondary legislation and guidance.
Effect on providers / As present, it is not entirely clear what the effect of the Act on providers will be. The legislation does not impose any additional duties or powers on providers per se, but it is not clear whether those providing services on behalf of local authorities may have information sharing responsibilities similar to those of local authorities. These matters will be addressed in secondary legislation and guidance.
CCPS involvement / CCPS' main involvement with the Bill has been to push for the voluntary sector to be included for consideration as members of the Adult Protection Committees which will be set up under the Bill in each local area. This is to be taken forward through guidance to
accompany the Act, which CCPS will try to influence through its membership of the Implementation Group and the Code of Practice working group set up by the Scottish Executive.
CCPS responded to consultations on the Bill and gave written evidence to the Scottish Parliament Health Committee, which can be read here.
CCPS was represented on the Bill Steering Committee by Linda Headland of Elcap. Reports from the CCPS representative are posted on the members-only section of the CCPS website.
See also / Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007
More info / Copy of the Act
Scottish Executive website
The Scottish Parliament website
Back to alphabetical list Back to legislation