| Title |
Review of Eligibility Criteria for Care and Support |
| Lead officer(s) |
Erik Sutherland |
| Telephone number |
|
| Email address |
erik.sutherland@east-ayrshire.gov.uk |
| Date summary created |
13 Jun 2025 |
| Date assessment completed |
13 Jun 2025 |
| Summary of policy aims |
The aim of the policy is to support the application of National Standard Eligibility Criteria in East Ayrshire from 2024 as the basis for consistent determination of access to care and support. Eligibility Criteria are based on the intensity of risk to independent realisation of personal outcomes and the urgency of need for support. In reviewing the application of Eligibility Criteria, policy will shift to consideration of individuals assessed as having the most significant risks to personal independent living or wellbeing outcomes, those with critical or substantial risk to those outcomes which call for the immediate or imminent provision of support. The policy aims to provide consistency, equity, transparency and fairness in the application of Eligibility Criteria. |
| Key issues |
The policy review recognises the changing context since the application of Eligibility Criteria was last considered in East Ayrshire in 2009. Specifically, the review has considered major changes in terms of demographic shifts, the ageing population, multiple long-term conditions, increasing numbers of children with additional support needs and increased complexity of need across the population. The policy review highlights the constrained resourcing context and the need to balance demand and capacity, whereby the prioritisation of the allocation of resources following assessment is based on transparency and fairness. The review of the Eligibility Criteria aims to achieve this in line with the changed practice framework which emphasises good conversations with people drawing on support based on their personal assets and strengths, the resources can be drawn on to support individual goals and aspirations and where quality statutory services are required to provide support to realise those outcomes.
In reviewing the application of Eligibility Criteria, policy will shift to consideration of individuals assessed as having the most significant risks to personal independent living or wellbeing outcomes, those with critical or substantial risk to those outcomes which call for the immediate or imminent provision of support. People assessed with critical or substantial needs for personal or nursing care will receive immediate and no later than six weeks from the confirmation of need for the service. Where there is assessed rehabilitation or reablement potential or where intense preventative one-off support is required the consideration of short-term, time-limited intervention should be actively considered. People assessed as having moderate or low risk to independence or wellbeing will be signposting to other organisations that can offer help and advice. |
| Summary of involvement with Groups |
Planned consultation and engagement was undertaken with Elected Members and other stakeholders through the IJB Stakeholder Forum and Provider Fora. Feedback from engagement with Elected Members, the IJB Stakeholder Forum and Providers in relation to the review of eligibility criteria was considered in developing the policy to support the alignment with wider national practice. The policy was informed by local data published as part of National Statistics by Public Health Scotland, published research on lived experience of accessing social care support from Self Directed Support Scotland and the Alliance, various Scottish Government publications and research on the experiences and outcomes for people with protected characteristics with a UK focus. The views of professional advisors to the IJB were also sought in reviewing the policy and taken into account in the report presented to the IJB for decision-making. |
| Key recommendations |
The Equalities Impact Assessment has concluded that the policy is introduced without further amendment. The policy reinforces important and evidence-based personal outcomes that supported people and unpaid carers report as being important. The policy is underpinned by strengths-based approaches and an appreciation of the assets and contributions of individuals, natural networks, communities and statutory services in realising these outcomes. Some people seeking to access social care supports or those taking part in a review of their support may have reduced input or not be eligible for support as a result of changing prioritisation in line with the national definition of `critical` and `substantial` risk. However, policy aims to allocate scarce resources equitably in line with the intensity of risk to independent realisation of personal outcomes and the urgency of need for support. |