Self-directed Support Strategy 2010-2020: Implementation Plan 2016-2018

Strategic Outcome 3

"Good conversations empower people to take control and promote independent living."

Commissioning is more flexible and responsive

Social care services and support are planned, commissioned and procured in a way that involves people and offers them real choice and flexibility in how they meet their personal outcomes.

What has changed?

Over phases 1 and 2 of the Self-directed Support strategy we have observed that:

• Commissioners, providers and communities are working together to create more innovative approaches to ensuring greater choice of support, for example, through the development of micro and social enterprise.
• We have seen increased interest in collaborative approaches to commissioning including alliance contracting and public-social partnerships.
• New social care procurement legislation and guidance promotes flexible contracting which will facilitate more choice and control for supported people.
• There is now more understanding of Option 2 (Self-directed Support Act 2013) by commissioners and providers and more flexible approaches to support provided through Option 3.
• There is significant interest in making Option 2 work from a commissioning and procurement perspective.

What we will do during 2016-18 to facilitate change

• The improvement hub (ihub) at Healthcare Improvement Scotland and the Care Inspectorate, will work with the health and social care partnerships and national bodies to support co-production, and engagement of local communities, in the provision of social care services. This will help ensure that a range of services are available to people to meet their needs.
• Coalition of Care Providers in Scotland will deliver events and workshops for providers and commissioners to share learning about commissioning, market facilitation and the impact of procurement on Self-directed Support Option 2.
• CCPS will deliver a collaborative learning programme to bring together providers, commissioners and service users to discuss working within financial constraints.
• Care Inspectorate and Healthcare Improvement Scotland will scrutinise strategic commissioning as part of their joint inspection programme.

Success

We will know this outcome is being achieved when:

• More health and social care partnerships are taking collaborative approaches to commissioning to deliver more flexible and responsive support and services.
• The flexibilities available within new procurement legislation are being used to develop more innovative approaches to delivering social services, including models of care developed by and for local communities. In particular, where there is a shortage of providers within an area.
• Health and social care partnership strategic commissioning and implementation plans clearly support flexible and innovative services that promote Self-directed Support.