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There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive of Scotland Excel which provided an update on key developments undertaken by Scotland Excel’s Social Care Team in terms of Care Services.
The report advised that the redesign process for National Care Home Contract (NCHC) was underway and involved the Scottish Government, Local Government, COSLA, Provider Representatives, Trade Unions, Care Inspectorate, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, Carers Groups, Independent Advocacy, Care Home Providers and Care Workers.
Negotiations had resumed for the placement costs for 2023/24 after having been delayed due to pressures and an agreement was reached to focus on what the financial solutions could be. The main themes of the redesign had been to ensure that residents focus remained at the centre of the contract, with a model built around sustainability and workforce development and inclusion of the possibility to explore whether the regulatory boundaries of the sector can adapt sufficiently. All new guidance and proposed legislation were being included to ensure that the contract continued to meet the changing demands of this sector.
The report advised that the framework for Care Homes for Adults with Learning Disabilities Including Autism was due to expire on 16 September 2023 and the development of the new framework had begun.
An update was also provided on the following categories: Residential Rehabilitation, Care and Support, Social Care Agency Workers, Children’s Residential Care and Education and the £500 Special Recognition Payment Project.
In terms of the National Care Service (NCS) Bill Consultation the report advised that following publication of the National Care Service Bill for the delivery of social care, social work and community health in Scotland on 20 June 2022, a call for views was initiated under Stage 1 of the parliamentary process for consideration by the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, supported by other committees.
Scotland Excel submitted a response to this consultation on 31 August 2022, a link to the response was provided. The response confirmed Scotland Excel’s support for the overarching aspirations of the Bill and its commitment to continuing to work in partnership to support improvement, and highlighted concerns that the context of the current commissioning landscape and the contribution of good commissioning and improvement activity had not been fully recognised.
Scotland Excel had attended the first NCS Forum on 3 October 2022 and would participate in the Stakeholder Register where appropriate and had been invited to participate in the Adult Social Care Working Group on Ethical Commissioning on 16 November 2022. Early conversations had taken place with Scottish Government to consider unique and specialist workstreams which Scotland Excel were best placed to review. An invitation to attend the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee Meeting to be held on 29 November 2022 had been accepted and planning was underway to prepare for questioning by the committee.
DECIDED: That progress made to date be noted.