| Title |
Morven Centre - LD and MH Commissioned Services |
| Lead officer(s) |
Linda Surgenor - Senior Manager Wellbeing and Recovery |
| Telephone number |
|
| Email address |
Linda.Surgenor@east-ayrshire.gov.uk |
| Date summary created |
30 Jan 2024 |
| Date assessment completed |
06 Dec 2023 |
| Summary of policy aims |
East Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership EACHSCP)is committed to securing continuous improvement in the delivery of all its services and to identifying more efficient and effective ways of delivering services to provide better value for money for our communities. The Best Value Service Review (BVSR) process provides a framework for assessing the effectiveness of the range of options available for service delivery. The Morven Centre was one of 25 services in-scope of the review. The proposal is to decommission the Morven Centre. There are five main aspects to the support at Morven Day Services: 1. Morven Centre - The Morven Centre in northwest Kilmarnock is at the heart of our work. A base for one-to-one sessions, activity-based support groups and a social hub designed to create opportunities for peer support. 2. Health in the Valley Enterprise (HIVE) - Activity-based support groups with a focus on developing mental wellbeing, self-esteem and confidence through making friends and learning new skills. The initiative was first focussed on Irvine Valley. Currently a group running in Galston. 3. TOPS - Similar to HIVE, but running support groups specifically for over-65s, currently in Cumnock and Kilmarnock 4. Community Guides - Meeting people at home and in their local area with a focus on re-engaging in the community. Creating opportunities to increase confidence and form friendships. This service is primarily for people who are isolated and are finding it difficult to leave the house. 5. Action for All - Supporting people with lived experience into volunteering, both within Morven and in partnership with other local organisations. A traditional model of support is provided by Crossreach at the Morven Centre. A focused piece of work has been carried out with the service which has highlighted the limited information available to evidence the service is supporting individuals to meet their outcomes whilst integrating into the community. The service operates a traditional model of delivery related to the Care in the Community model. There is evidence of people attending the service for a long time and a lack of evidence of outcomes being met. There is a lack of transparency of the staffing model, the model of delivery and financial accountability. The service does not proactively demonstrate the impact it is having on individuals accessing the service. The service is operational 3 days a week for support activities with some group supports being service-user led rather than staff-led (one day a week is appointment only). This service provides low-tariff, service-user facilitated social supports which individuals could access in the community. There is a lack of integration in the community and with the Community Mental Health Team. HSCP funding is for people with illness and disability rather than social supports that could be accessed through other groups and projects. The Review proposes ceasing to contract with Crossreach - Morven Centre. There is no contract currently in place - the service is working to a legacy contract. |
| Key issues |
A focused piece of work has been carried out in 2023 to support the Best Value Service Review. During the observation visits and reviews completed, it was observed that most paperwork is out of date: *Star reviews which had been informed take place every 6 months were in some cases dated 2018/2019/2020 or earlier -very few were current. However, the staff were actively trying to update during our visits. *No progress notes in files noted. *No accurate evidence of who attends the outreach groups that they run in the community. *Excessive letter sending to individuals who have not attended for 4 weeks. A letter gets sent then a further letter gets sent after another 4 weeks. This, in effect, keeps a person on the register as an active case who has not attended the centre. During the BVSR process, a survey was sent to all service users of the 25 services in-scope. For Morven, there were 28 completed surveys from service users. All were positive about the service, the staff and support received at the centre. People felt their needs were being met by the Morven Centre. Suggested improvements were being open for longer and more often additional funding for more activities to take place and for more staffing: “Since I have came to Morven Centre, my life has swung a 360. The work that the service has given me has challenged me but yet I have gained so much in activities.†“Offer a variety of fun activities. Friendly staff make everyone feel welcome and included.†“More chances to talk openly about mental health before it reaches crisis point.†A literature review was completed to inform BVSR. The policy context, nationally and locally, was included in this. The Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy (Scottish Government, 2023) states “our vision is of a Scotland, free from stigma and inequality, where everyone fulfils their right to achieve the best mental health and wellbeing possible.†Gathering feedback from public, people with lived experience, representative groups, and other organisations, the Strategy produced several outcomes that should shift because of the aims of the Strategy. The BVSR found that it did not have confidence in the limited data/evidence available from Morven to demonstrate that outcomes were being met. The Health and Social Care Standards are also central to the review. The BVSR found that it did not have confidence in Morven as an organisation to deliver effective care and support as set out in standard 4. Research by The World Health Organisation found that empowering people with mental health issues to have control over their own life instils self-respect, confidence, and a level of autonomy and choice they previously never had (WHO, 2022). This is also beneficial to service providers, as it challenges assumptions and develops trust between service user and provider. This shows that providing individuals with mental ill health with the same meaningful opportunities as everyone else, and being able to stay associated with others allows them to grow and develop. Therefore, this underlines the importance of empowering everyone to have their voice heard. |
| Summary of involvement with Groups |
During the BVSR process, a survey was sent to all service users of the 25 services in-scope. The survey was available online, as a word document and as an emoji-based survey to ensure it was accessible. Focus groups and 1-1 feedback sessions were also offered to the services in-scope. For Morven, there were 28 completed surveys from service users. All were positive about the service, the staff and support received at the centre. People felt their needs were being met by the Morven Centre. Suggested improvements were being open for longer and more often additional funding for more activities to take place and for more staffing: “Since I have came to Morven Centre, my life has swung a 360. The work that the service has given me has challenged me but yet I have gained so much in activities.†“Offer a variety of fun activities. Friendly staff make everyone feel welcome and included.†“More chances to talk openly about mental health before it reaches crisis point.†Individuals will be supported to look at alternative support options by doing a reassessment of needs of all individuals receiving support from the service. Triage will be done by Primary Care Mental Health Team, Community Mental Health Team and Mental Health Practitioners and Self-Help Workers to support handover to other organisations for those requiring further support. Service users have not yet been consulted with on the actual closure of the service. The Equality Impact Assessment will be monitored and updated once there is further evidence and information. |
| Key recommendations |
Introduce the policy, function or service review without amendment The proposal will be presented to the Integration Joint Board for approval. Thereafter, the HSCP, Procurement and Legal will work together to progress. Implementation will be led by the Head of Wellbeing and Recovery Services. An Equality Impact Assessment will be carried out on the new Contract Framework for Learning Disability and Mental Commissioned Services. |