Scotland Advisory Group Minutes - August 2024

Independent Living Fund Scotland:

ILF Scotland Advisory Group Meeting

30.8.24 Via Zoom

Present

Jim Elder-Woodward - Chair Justina Oguguo

Chris Mercer Joan Turner

Gordon McKee joined the meeting at 11.19am Andy Higgins joined the meeting at 11.36am

In Attendance

ILF Scotland Staff

Peter Scott Lee House Linda Scott Karen Burnett Robert White Lisa McAuslan

Apologies Catherine Symington Chloe McKee

List of Actions:

  1. Peter will seek a response from Scottish Government regarding ILF Scotland charges.
  2. Lee to look at alternative venues for the Christmas lunch and meeting.

ILF Scotland, Denholm House, Almondvale Business Park, Almondvale Way, Livingston, EH54 6GA Tel: 0300 200 2022 Email: enquiries@ilf.scot                      Web: www.ilf.scot

ILF Scotland is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland, Company Number: SC500075. Registered office: Denholm House, Almond vale Business Park, Almondvale Way, Livingston, EH54 6GA

1.        Welcome and Introductions

Jim welcomed everyone to the meeting. Everyone agreed that Lee would record the meeting.

2.        Minutes from previous meetings

Minutes agreed and signed off. Lee to pass to communications team to upload to ILF Scotland website.

Actions from previous meeting

3.        Matters arising

Jim and Peter advised the group that there have been no further PA Programme Board meetings.

In the meantime, if members have any questions about their own personal circumstances, they should get in touch with Linda or Peter.

4.        Terms of Reference/Chairperson and Vice Chairperson Review

Jim asked Linda to check the date of when he was elected. Linda advised that Jim was elected in 2020 and therefore we would require a re-election. It was agreed to carry this forward to the next meeting.

5.        Re-opening 2015 Fund Update

Peter advised the group that, as of today’s date, we have received 153 applications with 200 in total waiting to be processed. The target in the first year was 1,000 applications and we would have hoped to have around 300- 400 received by this stage. Peter pointed out that applications to the Transition Fund took some time to build momentum, so a delay is somewhat inevitable.

Peter confirmed that at present, only Local Authority Social Work colleauges can identify applicants and submit applications. Currently, Social Work are fully stretched and short staffed, which is impacting the application numbers.

The assessor teams have been engaging directly with Local Authorities and advising on the application process. ILF Scotland sent a letter to CEOs of all Local Authorities to remind them of the Fund and to advise them on the number of applications their authority had made to date. Feedback from ILF assessors is that they believe there will be an increase in applications in the second half of the year.

Peter also advised the group that feedback indicates a wish for direct applications rather than through social work, that that a lot of unpaid care is being provided which means that people do not meet the threshold sum to be able to apply. Peter advised the sub-groups will continue to meet and look at these key issues. The co-production group continues to meet with three sub- groups:

  1. – carers component
  2. – direct/citizen led applications (timescale c18 months to complete)
  3. – alternatives to a fixed financial threshold sum – currently main criteria for access

Joan asked Peter if there is there was a risk of losing funding. Peter advised there is a possibility if the money is not spent then it could be lost in the future, and as it stands, ILF will not require the full £9 million.

Jim asked Peter if it would help to reduce the £800 per week social care threshold just for the first year. Peter advised caution against lowering it as it would be difficult to raise it thereafter so this would represent a big risk and in addition, his view is that the rate of applications says more about Local Authority capacity than anything else and changing the Threshold Sum would not assist with this. The average local authority input in successful applications is around £2,200 per week. These applicants are already receiving a lot of support.

Robert advised the group there is a lack of understanding about ILF Scotland and the re-opening of the fund. There have been applications where the social workers have not been sure about threshold sums and how it works.

Some Local Authorities are submitting targeted applications and others are waiting until review stage. There is hope that correspondence with Heads of Service at Local Authorities will result in more applications. Some local authority areas feel the threshold is too high.

6.        Review Visit Update

Robert advised the group that review visits are going well operationally, almost twice as quickly as this time last year and are almost back to the two- year cycle. The difficult news is Local Authorities are cutting respite budgets and day care attendance. This will affect the recipient but also ILF packages where a Local Authority can’t meet the threshold.

Lisa advised the group she joined ILF Scotland from a Local Authority in January and agrees with Robert’s comments that knowledge of the Fund was limited. Lisa advised her former colleagues feel the threshold is too high. The cases Lisa is working on are very complex with re-balancing and social work not being present and available to attend reviews and complete paperwork.

Peter asked if any of the group were experiencing Local Authority reductions? Joan shared her challenging experiences of the last 12 months, although currently things are working well. She noted that she is aware of some friends who should be applying to ILF, but they feel they may not be entitled to it and are reluctant to approach Social Work unless really needed.

Christine noted she is aware of other people whose support has been reduced or stopped altogether.

Jim raised a query regarding a friend who has been advised by an ILF assessor that a payroll accountant they used can no longer be used. Jim uses the same company. Linda and Peter said that normal ILF Scotland Policy was to list a number of payroll providers and for the recipient to choose between them. Linda agreed to raise with Robert outside the meeting.

7.        Policy Update

Linda advised that the maximum ILF Scotland weekly award has been increased for Group 2 to £600 a week and Group 1 £1,000 per week. She advised that a number of Recipients had or were almost at the top of the previous maximum award (£475 and £815). The increases give more flexibility within awards with wage increases and agency increases continuing to happen. There are some circumstances where ILF Scotland can exceed the maximum award, which are set out in Policy 20 Payments.

There have been some other minor changes to meet industry and legislative updates such as the Capital Threshold Sum increase and Protection Policies.

Linda advised that following the issues raised around Award Management at joint stakeholder meetings, there are staff sessions planned to discuss this further. Karen will be attending this session and will feedback at the next meeting in December.

Linda advised the commitment to abolish ILF Scotland charges by 2026 still exists. Peter advised that there has been no formal update since the Minister attended the Advisory Group meeting earlier this year and that he will try to get an update before the next Group meeting.

8.        Case Studies

Linda advised that Clare Henry who has recently joined ILF Scotland will be following up with case studies and ILF Scotland will continue this work internally for the foreseeable future. Any current work that has been agreed with the external PR agency will be completed, this includes the video of Joan’s PA who has provided a Case Study and Chloe and her PA who are preparing a blog.

9.        PA Awareness Raising Campaign

Linda advised the Group that we were looking at running a campaign, but now have to mindful of marketing expenditure. Therefore, this work will be undertaken internally utilising staff skills.

Lee noted that South Lanarkshire were running a recruitment programme and social media PA campaign and will forward details to the group.

10.    Public Spending

Peter advised the group that due to the Scottish Government introducing spending controls following pay settlements across the public sector, public bodies have been asked to keep spending to essential areas only. This means we were unable to go ahead and book the in-person meeting and Christmas lunch for the advisory group in the hotel we had identified.

Peter advised there will be a further update from the Scottish Government in the coming weeks.

Joan advised she would be keen for the group to still meet at no cost to ILF Scotland and offered to contact a suitable venue. Joan asked the group if they would like to think about it more and link in with Lee and Linda. The Group agreed and Lee will have a look at alternative, reasonable options.

11.    Any Other Business

Linda advised the group there was some action points from the last Joint Stakeholder meeting held on 28 June 2024. Linda asked Lee to re-send the minutes from the last meeting and arrange a meeting for October.

Jim raised some concerns about the regulation and registration of PAs. This relates to the changes and the implementation of the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 and the legal requirements for mandatory membership of the PVG Scheme. Jim expressed his feelings that this jeopardises choice and control. Gordon noted that he is in favour of the scheme as it assists safer recruitment. Linda advised that ILF Scotland will publicise the scheme shortly as requested by the Scottish Government.

12.    Future Meeting Dates & Arrangements

5 December 2024

202308 - Scotland Advisory Group Minutes - 7 May 2024 (Easy Read)

ILF Scotland logo

Independent Living Fund Scotland

Scottish Recipient Advisory Group Meeting Minutes

7 May 2024

Grey faces of people with a question mark in the middle. Represents who was in attendance

Who was at this meeting?

Andy Higgins - Chair
Martha Shortreed
Chloe McKee
Gordon McKee
Chris Mercer
Justina Oguguo – joined meeting at 13:35 Joan Turner – joined meeting at 14:00

ILF Scotland Staff
Harvey Tilley
Lee House
Linda Scott
Karen Burnett
Emma O’Neill
Deborah Kenneway
Danielle Dunlop
Lindsay Murdoch

Grey faces of people with a question mark in the middle. A red line goes through the whole image. Represents who wasn't in attendance

Who could not come to the meeting?

Jim Elder-Woodward
Peter Scott
Catherine Symington

A woman in a nurses outfit shakes hands with a man.

1. Welcome and Introductions

Andy Higgins welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Everyone agreed that Lee would record the meeting.

2. Minutes from previous meeting

People can keep some of their ILF funds to use if they need – up to one week of funding. People asked what sort of things they could use this for. Peter and Jim are on the PA Programme Group – they will discuss this there and talk about it at the next Advisory Group meeting.

Lee will share the presentation from Finbarr Fitzpatrick to the Group. (Done)

3. Matters arising – what do we need to talk about?

There were no additional things that they group needed to talk about.

4. Re-opening 2015 update

Harvey told the group that ILF Scotland re-opened the fund in April 2024.

There have been 26 applications to the fund so far.

He explained how people could apply to the fund.

Local Authorities Social Work departments have to apply on behalf of people then an ILF assessor will visit their home.

If funding is agreed, ILF Scotland will pay that to the person.

To apply to the re-opened fund, people must receive at least £800 in social care funding from social work. This is called the threshold sum.

Linda said that the Co-Production Working Group will be looking at whether there are other ways people might be able to access the fund.

They will also talk about the possibility of counting the amount of unpaid care into the threshold sum.
The group will look at other differences between the existing and the re-opened fund like people being able to apply even if they have savings. Or whether people should pay something towards the support the funding pays for and also consider the age of people who can apply to the fund.
Linda will keep the advisory group up to date on any decisions.

Chris Mercer agreed that it would be helpful if the whole fund is working with the same policy and rules.

Martha Shortreed said she is concerned that if ILF Scotland stops asking people to pay something towards their support – a charge, then the local authority will then start charging.

Linda told the group that ILF Scotland is aware of this and they are looking at the situation to make sure people don’t lose any money.


5. Available Income Contribution

Andy asked Linda if ILF Scotland keep a note of the number of times they stop someone’s charge?

Linda said that records are kept and that people normally ask to stop paying charges after review visits.

Linda advised that stopping these charges for everybody is not being considered at this time. The Scottish Government plans to stop social care charging for everyone at the end of March 2026.

Gordon McKee told the group he feels that we should keep asking the Scottish Government for the removal of these charges.

6. Policy Update

Linda said that the policies for the re-opened fund have mostly stayed the same.

There was a slight change to 8 policies about award payments.
Policy 38 Suspensions has been updated and can now be found on the ILF website.

The change is that if a recipient is in hospital for more than 28 days, ILF Scotland can still pay the award if the person is being supported by their Personal Assistant or care provider.

If someone moves into residential care their award will be suspended but not closed. This means that if they return home the funding will start up again.

ILF Scotland is still discussing the maximum amount that it can pay out in an award with the Scottish Government.

Website updates
o A new report about how ILF Scotland will make sure it does everything it can to meet equality duties for 2024 to 2026.

o The new corporate parenting plan 2024 to 2027. This sets out how ILF Scotland will meet is duties.

o The Charter for Involvement progress against actions. This talks about how ILF Scotland will involve people who get funding in making decisions.

The Advisory and Stakeholder group members in Scotland and Northern Ireland met to talk about the Charter actions and other priorities for 2024 to 2025. Karen Burnett will circulate a note from this meeting.

Gordon asked how we could make members of the public more aware of the role of a Personal Assistant, maybe through a media campaign.

Linda confirmed this was noted and will be discussed at the next joint meeting.

7. Any other business

Linda advised the group that a report on the difference ILF funding makes to people, called the Social Return on Investment, is now on the website.

8. Date of the next meeting

Friday 30 August 11 am to 1 pm

Copyright images © Photosymbols. Prepared by Disability Equality Scotland

20240523 - Scotland Advisory Group Minutes - May 2024

Scotland Advisory Group Meeting
Thursday 23 May 2024, via Zoom
Present
Andy Higgins - Chair
Martha Shortreed
Chloe McKee
Gordon McKee
Chris Mercer
Justina Oguguo – joined meeting at 13:35
Joan Turner – joined meeting at 14:00
In Attendance
ILF Scotland Staff
Harvey Tilley
Lee House
Linda Scott
Karen Burnett
Emma O’Neill
Deborah Kenneway
Danielle Dunlop
Lindsay Murdoch
Apologies
Jim Elder-Woodward
Peter Scott
Catherine Symington

  1. Welcome and Introductions
    Andy Higgins welcomed everyone to the meeting. Everyone agreed that
    Lee would record the meeting.
  2. Minutes from Previous Meetings
    Minutes agreed and signed off. Lee to pass to communications team to
    upload to ILF Scotland website.
    Actions from previous meeting
  1. Matters Arising
    No matters arising.
  2. Re-Opening 2015 Update
    Harvey advised the group that ILF Scotland re-opened the fund in April
  3. ILF Scotland Staff have been supporting local authority staff since
    then to enable them to submit applications. There have been 26
    applications to the fund so far. The process is that the LA contact applies
    on behalf of the applicant then a home visit is conducted by an assessor.
    An agreement of the award is put in place between both parties then
    processed to payment. There has been a substantial amount of
    engagement work completed with local authorities to provide guidance
    on what ILF Scotland funding might provide and to support local
    authority staff to make applications.
    Linda added that the Co-Production Working Group will be looking at the
    possibility of alternatives to a fixed financial threshold sum (£800) as well
    as considering the potential to incorporate an appropriate contribution for
    unpaid care. The group will also consider differences in the available
    income contribution, capital limit, and upper age limit, between the
    existing and the re-opened fund. Linda advised that we are referring to
    both the original and the re-opened fund as the Independent Living Fund
    and that the working group will consider changes to the re-opened fund
    as outlined above but will also look at improvements to the independent
    living fund as a whole.
    Linda will feedback any relevant developments to the Advisory group.
    Chris Mercer agreed that it would be helpful if the whole fund is working
    with the same policy suite and guidelines.
    Martha Shortreed added that she is concerned about when ILF Scotland
    waive its chare, the local authority will introduce a charge. Linda advised
    the group that ILF Scotland is aware of this and are monitoring the
    situation to ensure that applicants are not worse off as a result of ILF
    Scotland applying a waiver. COSLA guidance confirms that local
    authorities should not increase their charge in response to ILF Scotland
    reducing or waiving theirs.
    https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/social-care-charging-forlocal-authorities-2023-to-2024.
  4. Available Income Contribution
    Andy asked Linda if we keep a record of the number of waivers of
    available income from applicants and recipients. Linda advised that
    there are records kept and that waiver applications normally follow
    review visits. It is rare to receive a request directly from a recipient.
    Linda advised that the abolition of the available income contribution is
    not currently being considered in advance of the Scottish Government’s
    plans to abolish social care charging more widely at the end of 2025 /
    2026.
    Gordon McKee advised the group that he feels that they have to keep
    pushing the Scottish Government for the removal of available income
    charges.
  5. Policy Update
    Linda advised that the policy framework for the re-opened fund remained
    largely the same although there was a slight a revision of eight policies,
    primarily around the revised Threshold Sum, Maximum Award, etc.
    Policy 38 Suspensions has now been approved by both sponsor teams
    and published on the website. The change is that if a recipient is in
    hospital for more than 28 days, ILF Scotland can continue to pay the
    award providing the recipient is being supported by their PA / provider
    for a period of up to six months. The other change is that someone
    moving to residential care will have their award suspended rather than
    closed so that if they return home at some point, the funding can be restarted.
    ILF Scotland continues to discuss the maximum award policy with the
    Scotland Sponsor Team.
    The new equalities mainstreaming report for 2024 to 2026 is now on ILF
    Scotland’s website along with an update on achievements against the
    previous plan actions.
    The new corporate parenting plan 2024 to 2027 is on the website along
    with an update against actions in the previous plan actions.
    The Charter for Involvement progress against actions has also been
    published on the website. The Advisory and Stakeholder group
    members met jointly to discuss progressing the charter action priorities
    for 2024 to 2025. The minutes from that meeting will be circulated by
    Karen Burnett.
    The groups will meet jointly again to discuss key priorities that came out
    of that discussion. Gordon asked about raising the profiles of the role of
    a PA and possibly a media campaign to give more insight into what this
    entails and how it supports people in their daily lives. Linda confirmed
    that was highlighted at the charter meeting and will be discussed further
    at the next joint meeting.
  6. Any Other Business
    Linda advised the group that the SROI findings and report have been
    presented to the Scottish Government. This document has now been
    signed off and will be published on the website.
  7. Future Meeting Dates & Arrangements
    Friday 30 August 11 am to 1 pm

202403 - Scotland Advisory Group Minutes - March 2024 (Easy Read)

Independent Living Fund Scotland

ILF Scotland logo

Scottish Recipient Advisory Group Meeting Minutes

7 March 2024

Grey faces of people with a question mark in the middle. Represents who was in attendance

Who was at this meeting?

Jim Elder-Woodward
Chloe McKee
Gordon Mckee
Christine Mercer
Justina Oguguo
Martha Shortreed
Stuart McCabe
Andy Higgins
Joan Turner
Nic Reid

In Attendance
Finbarr Fitzpatrick
Steven Hanlon (Scottish Government)
Jack Blaik (Scottish Government)
Ms Maree Todd (Minister - Scottish Government)
Sam Burns (Minister's Aide - Scottish Government)

ILF Scotland Staff
Lee House
Linda Scott
Karen Burnett
Robert White
Harvey Tilley
Catherine Symington

Grey faces of people with a question mark in the middle. A red line goes through the whole image. Represents who wasn't in attendance

Who could not come to the meeting?

Julia Smith

1. Welcome and Introductions

A woman in a nurses outfit shakes hands with a man.

Jim Elder-Woodward welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Everyone agreed to Lee recording the meeting.

2. Minutes from previous meeting

The minutes of the last meeting were agreed.

Lee will give them to the communications team so they can put them on the website.

Actions from previous meeting

A pile of money and a person's hand pressing the buttons on a calculator.

1. Linda and Peter will talk about contingency funds and make it clear to the group when they can be used.

A contingency fund is money that is put aside to cover unexpected costs.

Envelope with email written on it on a screen of a laptop

2. Lee to share the presentation from Finbarr Fitzpatrick to the group - this action has been done.

3. Matters arising – what do we need to talk about?

A picture of Maree Todd. She has brown hair and a fringe. She is wearing dangly earrings and a cream dress with a colourful design on it that looks like it might be garden plans. She is smiling.

Linda introduced the Minister, Ms Maree Todd to the Advisory Group and asked each member to introduce themselves.

4. Re-opening 2015 update

Young lady in green holds up a clipboard. She gives a thumbs up. A big green check tick mark is on the clipboard.

The Minister Maree Todd said how pleased she is that the 2015 fund is reopening.

There was a Group discussion on the National Care Service.

4 people stand talking to each other. There are speech bubbles coming out their heads.

The Minister said she understands and hears the voices of lived experience.

Lived experience means what people know based on the things they have experienced.

A group of people are meeting, smiling and waving. One lady is in a wheelchair. There are grey speech bubbles above their heads.

The Minister confirmed that the National Care Service will be co-designed with people with lived experience.

Co-design means that everyone taking part has the same level of power and is involved in making decisions.

Lady with a crutch stands in front of a green starburst with lines

She is confident that this:

  • will help the Scottish Government get things right
  • will make sure that voices of people with disabilities stays at the heart of everything
A screen / ipad with a laughing lady holding an ipad on it with a yellow background. Other faces are along the top of the screen.

Linda said the engagement events are now complete.

A lady holds up a sign with 1 2 3 on it and lines after each number. She has her thumbs up and wears a dark blue purple top.

The Co-Production Working Group considered the information from these events, when they made their recommendations to the Minister.

The fund will reopen in April 2024.

A young man holds a red x card and gives a thumbs down sign. Then three dots to the same young man, a bit bigger this time, holding a sign with a green tick on it and giving a thumbs up.

Linda said that most of the policies from the 2015 fund will be the same.

ILF Scotland have suggested changes to 8 policies.

A group of people are meeting, smiling and waving. One lady is in a wheelchair. There are grey speech bubbles above their heads.

ILF Scotland will work together with local councils when the fund re-opens.

Robert said there can be up to 1 thousand applications to the Fund.

This will be shared proportionately across the 32 local councils.

This means that larger council areas can have more applicants than smaller areas.

Robert said the re-opened fund should make it easier to get self-directed support across Scotland.

Self-directed support gives people more choice and control of their care and support services.

Lady with a crutch stands in front of a green starburst with lines

The re-opening will focus on being person led - this means the person is supported to lead their own care and is treated as a person first.

The focus is on the person and what they can do, not their condition or disability.

A man carries a large stack of papers and books. He looks up at the stack with a bit of worry.

Martha is worried that local councils may not be able to support all the new applications when the fund re-opens.

Linda said the Working Group will consider people being able to make their own application in the second year.

Stuart asked if ILF Scotland would put videos and information about the re-opening on the website.

Linda said we will be sharing links to other information on the website.

Linda said the average ILF Scotland weekly award for someone getting social work support was 1 thousand pounds or more.

The Co-Production Working Group considered this when thinking about the threshold sums for applications to the reopened Fund.

5. Available Income Contribution

Linda talked about the Available Income Contribution Policy.
When ILF Scotland inherited the fund from ILF UK, the contribution was 103 pounds.

It reduced to 83 pounds and is now 43 pounds a week.

The Advisory Group has campaigned hard to make sure there will eventually be no contribution.

The Advisory Group are worried that the re-opened fund will open with no charge.

This would be unfair for recipients who got money from the 2015 fund.

Andy said the cost-of-living crisis is affecting many people and they cannot afford to pay a contribution.

He asked if ILF Scotland could stop this charge until the economy has improved?

The Minister would love to stop this charge but the Scottish Government:

  • need to know the cost
  • must find the money in the national budget to do this

The Minister knows this would make a big difference to ILF recipients.

Outside of the Scottish Parliament with the Scottish, British and EU flags

Gordon wanted to raise some points on behalf of Chloe:

  • he wants the Minister to make sure the Scottish Government keep working on the issue about contributions
A pile of money and a person's hand pressing the buttons on a calculator.
  • he told the Minister about the cost of activities and daily life for Chloe

The Minister said she appreciates the Group explaining the extra costs they have in daily life.

There is a commitment in this term of Parliament to remove care charges for people who do not live in a care home

There is a lot of work happening between the Scottish Government and COSLA to agree how to do this.

The Minister committed to progress on this and said that ILF Scotland charges would be included.

The UK Parliament Buildings with Big Ben Clock. Above that is a hand pressing a calculator. There is money, cash and coins sitting beside it.

Stuart asked the Minister if they can approach the UK Government in Westminster to ask for extra funds to fill the gap until there is an agreement on the available income contribution.

Young lady in green holds up a clipboard. She gives a thumbs up. A big green check tick mark is on the clipboard. A Scottish Saltire is in the top right of the screen.

The Minister said that although the relationship with Westminster is not very good, they still try to work closely to make a real difference in Scotland.

The Minister hopes that if there is a change of government in Westminster that there may be a chance to make life better for people with disabilities in Scotland.

6. Joint Stakeholder Event Update

A group of people are meeting, smiling and waving. One lady is in a wheelchair. There are grey speech bubbles above their heads.

Linda said that both Groups will be joining each other in Scotland.
The event will show the difference ILF Scotland can make to recipients.

A black lady in a suit and glasses points at a check list sign that reads numbers 1 2 3.

Stuart said how important ILF Scotland is to his life and that it makes sure he stays independent.

The Minister said the development of the National Care Service will listen carefully to the voices of people who get and give care.

The Minister said she is really looking forward to going to the event at Holyrood.

7. Contingency Funds

Linda said that ILF Scotland knows how expensive it can be to be active and socialise in the community with extra costs like:

  • travel
  • PA costs
  • day to day living costs

Robert and Sandra explained what contingency funds can be used for.

Man in a suit writes something on a notepad. A clipboard showing a stack of twenty pound notes is behind the man.

Sandra said ILF Scotland Assessors will always make sure all bills and wages are paid before looking at excess money - money that has not been spent.

Excess money would be given back to ILF Scotland.

Up to one week of ILF Scotland funding can be used as a contingency.

It can be used flexibly for anything that supports recipients to achieve their independent living outcomes, for example:

  • technology - machines, equipment and information that use scientific knowledge
  • an experience

8. 2015 fund evaluation and social return on investment

Three people in white t-shirts with their thumbs up

A social return on investment (SROI) looks at the benefits of a project that are not just about money.

For example it could support people’s wellbeing, or help people to be treated fairly.

Northern Ireland had an SROI report in 2019 to 2020 sponsored by the Northern Ireland Stakeholder Group.

Emma did interviews with recipients.

A young man holds a red x card and gives a thumbs down sign. Then three dots to the same young man, a bit bigger this time, holding a sign with a green tick on it and giving a thumbs up.

Finbarr used ways to check the difference that ILF Scotland funding made to people’s lives.

The SROI report gave the difference a value in money.

For every 1 pound spent on awards in Northern Ireland it gave back a social investment of almost 11 pounds.

The work was done again this year and the social return on investment figure has gone up to 13 pounds.

The same exercise was done in Scotland, and the social return on investment figure was between 12 to 13 pounds for every 1 pound spent on award funding.

This information will be shown at the Joint Stakeholder Event at Holyrood and reports will be sent to this Group.

9. Any other business – what else do we need to talk about?

There was nothing else we needed to talk about.

10. Date of the next meeting

The next meeting will be on 23 May from 1 to 3pm on Zoom

Copyright images © Photosymbols. Prepared by Disability Equality Scotland

202312 - Scotland Advisory Group Minutes - December 2023 (Easy Read)

ILF Scotland logo

Independent Living Fund Scotland

Scottish Recipient Advisory Group Meeting Minutes

21 December 2023

Grey faces of people with a question mark in the middle. Represents who was in attendance

Who was at this meeting?

Jim Elder-Woodward
Chloe McKee
Gordon Mckee
Christine Mercer
Justina Oguguo
Martha Shortreed

In Attendance
Finbarr Fitzpatrick
Anne-Marie Monghan

ILF Scotland Staff
Peter Scott
Lee House
Linda Scott
Harvey Tilley - joined at 2.40pm and left at 2.52pm
Emma O'Neill

Grey faces of people with a question mark in the middle. A red line goes through the whole image. Represents who wasn't in attendance

Who could not come to the meeting?

Joan Turner
Catherine Symington

Actions

Envelope with email written on it on a screen of a laptop

1. Invite Maree Todd to the next Advisory Group Meeting

A pile of money and a person's hand pressing the buttons on a calculator.

2. Contingency funds to be added to the next agenda.

A contingency fund is money that is put aside to cover unexpected costs.

1. Welcome and Introductions

A woman in a nurses outfit shakes hands with a man.

Jim Elder-Woodward welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Everyone agreed to Lee recording the meeting.

2. Minutes from previous meeting

The minutes of the last meeting were agreed.

Lee will give them to the communications team so they can put them on the website.

Actions from previous meeting

A pile of money and a person's hand pressing the buttons on a calculator.

1. Linda and Peter will discuss and provide some clarity on the circumstances when contingency funds can be used.

Envelope with email written on it on a screen of a laptop

2. Lee to share the presentation from Finbarr Fitzpatrick to the group.

3. Matters arising – what do we need to talk about?

A lady in a black suit and striped top smiles and waves.

Anne-Marie Monaghan introduced herself to the Advisory group and talked about her new role as chair of the board.

A pile of money and a person's hand pressing the buttons on a calculator.
A lady looks confused. Behind her is a green book with a signpost on it and the word guidance.

A meeting has been set up in early 2024 with the ILF Scotland assessors to discuss guidance about contingency funds.

Jim asked Peter if there is any UK Government money that has been allocated for ILF Scotland that has not been spent.

Peter said that ILF Scotland takes the money that it needs to spend from the Scottish Government.

It might not always take the full amount that is available for each year.

A man in a suit and blue tie sitting at a desk signing a document.

Peter said that the Scottish Government have promised to stop care charges.

Gordon felt it would be worth writing to the Scottish Government about this.

Peter has asked we invite Maree Todd to the next meeting in 2024 to answer these questions.

4. Re-opening 2015 update - Jim Elder-Woodward

Young lady in green holds up a clipboard. She gives a thumbs up. A big green check tick mark is on the clipboard.

Peter said the Advisory Group’s letters and meetings with Government ministers were very important in the decision to reopen the ILF.

The fund will reopen in April 2024 with 9 million pounds.

Work has started on

  • bringing new staff into the ILF team
  • systems - how we work
  • policies – the rules and agreements of the organisation
A group of people are meeting, smiling and waving. One lady is in a wheelchair. There are grey speech bubbles above their heads.

Consultation events have started.

Some Advisory Group members went to the first co-production event at Murrayfield in Edinburgh.

All the minutes from the event are on the website with information about January and February events.

5. 2015 fund evaluation and social return on investment

Three people in white t-shirts with their thumbs up

A social return on investment (SROI) looks at the benefits of a project that are not just about money.

For example it could support people’s wellbeing, or help to reduce inequality.

Finbarr Fitzpatrick gave a presentation on the 2015 Fund evaluation.

The most important points were that ILF Scotland supports people
with independent living outcomes including:

  • spending time with other people
  • hobbies
  • education
  • healthy relationships

For every £1 spent on ILF £13 was made in social value – important outcomes that are not about money.

6. Joint stakeholder event update - Harvey Tilley

Harvey said the Scottish Parliament has been booked for the 28 March from 5.30pm to 7.30pm for the re-opening celebration event.

We have booked rooms at the Village Hotel in Edinburgh:

  • for people staying over before the event
  • for the Joint Stakeholder group meeting with dinner afterwards
A table of people. In front is a list with the numbers 1 to 5 and squiggles after each number.

Harvey said we should discuss the agenda with Jim and get a final version.

7. Any other business – what else do we need to talk about?

A man in a suit jacket holds a clipboard and red pen. His list shows the first two items are marked with a red cross.

Justina asked if anyone had a Personal Assistant (PA) that was a member of the union.

No-one did.

Peter advised that the Scottish Government is interested in the PA network.
The network is hoping to get bigger.

People sitting at a small round table chatting

Anne-Marie said a lot of work has been done on the Scottish PA network.

They are trying to start a place where PAs can get together.

They hope a discount card system will be set up to support PAs.

8. Date of the next meeting

Lee will send out the dates for 2024.

Copyright images © Photosymbols. Prepared by Disability Equality Scotland

202403 - Scotland Advisory Group Minutes - March 2024

Note of Meeting
Scotland Advisory Group Meeting

Thursday 7 March 2024, via Zoom

Present

In Attendance

ILF Scotland Staff

Apologies

List of Actions:

1.        Welcome and Introductions

Jim Elder-Woodward welcomed everyone to the meeting. Everyone agreed that Lee would record the meeting.

2. Minutes from Previous Meetings

Minutes agreed and signed off. Lee to pass to communications team to upload to ILF Scotland website.

Actions from previous meeting

3. Matters Arising

Linda introduced the Minister, Ms Maree Todd to the Advisory Group and asked each member to introduce themselves.

4. Re-Opening 2015 Update

The Minister re-iterated her delight of the 2015 fund re-opening. There was a Group discussion on the National Care Service. Maree Todd advised the Group how closely she understands and hears the voices of lived experience. The Minister wanted to re-assure the Advisory Group that the National Care Service will be co-designed with people with lived experience. The Minister is confident this will help the Scottish Government get things right. The Minister also advised that she is committed to evolving the development of the NCS in this way to make sure that voices of people with disabilities stays at the heart of everything.

Linda added that the engagement events are now complete and that the Co-Production Working Group took account of the feedback from these events, in their recommendations to the Minister for her consideration. The fund will re-open in April 2024.

Linda advised the Group that most of the policies from the 2015 fund will remain and will adequately reflect the requirements of the re-opened fund. It has only been necessary for ILF Scotland to submit eight revised policy recommendations to the SG Sponsor Team that required amendment in for the re-opening. The fund re-opening will have joint involvement with the Local Authority.

Robert White advised the Group that the re-opening intends to allow up to 1,000 applications to the Fund. This will be shared proportionately, across the 32 Local Authorities. Robert advised that the re-opened fund will hopefully help and improve the delivery of SDS across Scotland with the many conversations ILF Scotland will be having with individuals. The re-opening will focus on being person led.

Martha Shortreed raised a concern that Local Authorities may struggle with workloads and demands for supporting applications for the re-opening. Linda confirmed that the Working Group will consider direct referrals for the second year.

Stuart McCabe asked if ILF Scotland would capture videos and details of the ongoing process with the re-opening to share on the website. It would also be great to keep paperwork down with the new fund by ILF Scotland signposting as much as possible. Linda advised we will be sharing links on the website to support recipient and applicants.

Linda advised that the average ILF Scotland weekly award for someone receiving social work support was £1,000 or more. The Co-Production Working Group considered this as part of its deliberation around the threshold sums for applications to the re-opened Fund.

5. Available Income Contribution

Linda provided a reminder of the Available Income Contribution Policy. When ILF Scotland inherited the fund from ILF UK, the contribution was much higher than it currently is. It was £103.00 and then reduced to £83.00 and then to the current maximum of £43.00 per week. The Advisory Group has campaigned hard to ensure this will eventually reach a zero contribution. The concern from the Advisory Group is that the re-opened fund will open without charge, and this will result in inequity for recipients on the 2015 fund.

Andy Higgins advised that the cost-of-living crisis is affecting many and they simply cannot afford to pay a contribution. He asked would it be possible for ILF Scotland to waive this charge until the economy has improved?

The Minister advised she would love to remove this charge but firstly the Scottish Government would need to understand the cost involved and finding the money within the national budget to accommodate this. The Minister advised that central government are struggling to find money to make these changes currently. The Minister is aware of the difference this would make to recipients of the fund.

Gordon McKee wanted to raise some points on behalf of Chloe Mckee. Gordon advised he would love the Minister to keep this ongoing issue with contributions at the forefront of the Scottish Governments work. Gordon advised the Minister of the cost of activities and daily life for Chloe.

The Minister advised she appreciates the Advisory Group detailing the extra costs they incur in day-to-day life and advised there is a commitment in this term of Parliament to remove nonresidential care charges. There is currently lots of work going on between the Scottish Government and COSLA to agree that approach. The Minister committed to progress on this and advised that ILF Scotland charges would be included.

Stuart McCabe asked the Minister if they can approach the UK Government in Westminster to ask for additional funds to plug the gap until an agreement can be reached on the available income contribution.

The Minister advised the relationship with Westminster is not particularly healthy, but they still try to work closely to make a real difference in Scotland. The Minister hopes that if there is a change of government in Westminster that there may be a chance to make life better for people with disabilities in Scotland.

6. Joint Stakeholder Event Update

Linda advised the Minister that both Groups will be joining each other in Scotland as they did in Stormont in 2019, which was really successful, with the Department of Health committing to looking at the prospect of re-opening the fund in Northern Ireland. The aim of the event in Scotland is to showcase the difference ILF Scotland can make to recipients.

Stuart McCabe advised the Minister just how vital ILF Scotland is to his life and ensuring he continues to be independent. The Minister wanted to re-assure again that the development of the National Care Service will take account of the voices of people with lived experience, from people with care to people who work within care.

The Minister advised the Group that she is really looking forward to attending the event at Holyrood.

7. Contingency Funds

Linda advised the Group that ILF Scotland appreciates how expensive it can be to be active and socialise in the community with all the additional expenses like travel, PA expenses and day to day living expenses.

Robert and Sandra discussed with the Group what contingency funds can be used for. Sandra advised the Group that ILF Scotland Assessors will always ensure all bills and wages are paid and up to date before looking at excess money, which would either be returned to ILF Scotland as unspent monies. Currently up to one week of ILF Scotland funding can be used as a contingency. Sandra Sweeney advised the Group that there is a degree of flexibility for these funds. Flexible funding requests are still available for anything that can support recipients to achieve their independent living outcomes e.g. technology or an experience.

8. 2015 Fund Evaluation and SROI

Linda advised the Group that this was commissioned in Northern Ireland in 2019 to 2020, sponsored by the Northern Ireland Stakeholder Group. Interviews were conducted by Emma O’Neill and Finbarr Fitzpatrick used financial proxies to identify and quantify the difference that ILF Scotland funding made to people’s lives including recipients, carers, and wider beneficiaries. The SROI report was then produced to calculate a monetary value. For every £1.00 spent on awards in NI it returned a social investment of almost £11.00.

Much of the work was replicated this time around and the social return on investment figure has now risen to £13.00 for every £1.00 spent on awards in Northern Ireland.

For Scotland, the same desktop exercise was introduced, and the figure sits between £12 to 13.00 for everyone £1.00 spent on award funding.

These figures will be presented at the Joint Stakeholder Event at Holyrood.

Once the work is complete Linda advised that the reports will be sent to the Advisory Group.

9. Any Other Business

None

10. Future Meeting Dates & Arrangements

Thursday 23 May 1 to 3 pm, on Zoom

202308 - Scotland Advisory Group Minutes - August 2023 (Easy Read)

ILF Scotland logo

Independent Living Fund Scotland

Scottish Recipient Advisory Group Meeting Minutes

17 August 2023

A spiral notebook with a picture of people and the word 'minutes' written on it. Followed by a calendar icon for August 17 and a calendar icon for 2023.
Grey faces of people with a question mark in the middle. Represents who was in attendance

Who was at this meeting?

Jim Elder-Woodward
Andy Higgins
Chloe McKee
Gordon Mckee
Christine Mercer
Nic Reid
Martha Shortreed - left the meeting at 15.18
Julia Smith

In Attendance
Jack Blaik - joined at 1.30pm
Finbarr Fitzpatrick - left at 15.04pm
Johanne McBean - joined at 15.23pm

ILF Scotland Staff
Peter Scott
Lee House
Linda Scott
Harvey Tilley
Catherine Symington

Grey faces of people with a question mark in the middle. A red line goes through the whole image. Represents who wasn't in attendance

Who could not come to the meeting?

Joan Turner

A pile of money and a person's hand pressing the buttons on a calculator.

Actions

  1. Linda and Peter will talk and be clear about when contingency funds can be used.

    A contingency fund is money that is put aside to cover unexpected costs.
Envelope with email written on it on a screen of a laptop
  1. Lee will share the presentation from Finbarr with the group.
A woman in a nurses outfit shakes hands with a man.

1. Welcome and Introductions

Jim Elder-Woodward welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Everyone agreed to Lee recording the meeting.

2. Minutes from previous meeting

The minutes of the last meeting were agreed.

Lee will give them to the communications team so they can put them on the website.

Man in a blue jacket with his back to the camera looks at a screen with three people on it with different colour backgrounds

Actions from previous meeting

1. Lee will talk with Alan Clarkson about starting the waiting room feature for our Advisory Group meetings on Zoom.

A group of people sitting meeting round a table.

2. Linda will organise a separate meeting to discuss having a social return on investment exercise for the 2015 fund in Scotland.

Three people in white t-shirts with their thumbs up

A social return on investment looks at the benefits of a project that are not just about money.
For example it could support people’s wellbeing, or help to reduce inequality.

Woman looks confused. Above her is a thought bubble with a tick and a cross. Above that is a laptop with an email on it.

3. Advisory Group members to email what they think about the Strategic Outcomes document to Linda.

All these actions have been done.

A woman with an ipad on a zoom call. A yellow hand raised to ask a question in the meeting.

3. Matters arising – what do we need to talk about?

Jim asked everyone to raise a hand on Zoom if they would like to make a point or ask a question.

A man in a suit raising his hand in front of the Scottish Parliament which shows the Scottish British and EU flags

4. Re-opening 2015 update - Jim Elder-Woodward

Peter said the Labour MSP Paul O’Kane has asked some questions in the Scottish Parliament about this.

These questions have been answered.

A woman carries a clipboard. She wears red. A man in a suit looks through a small magnifying glass.

The Scottish Government have said that it is still checking that the fund has enough money to do its work before it can re-open.

A group of people sitting meeting round a table.

The statements about engagement opportunities were from a meeting with Peter and the Chair of ILF Scotland’s Board and the Minister.

Three brown bags of money with the pound £ symbol on them. There are £50 fifty pound notes coming from the top of each bag.

Peter said the Scottish Government has given just over 53 million pounds to the ILF 2015 Fund.

From 2016 to 2023 around 40 million pounds was not spent on ILF Scotland.

A girl in a blue t-shirt with the word dandelion written on it. She has her arms out in a questioning gesture. There's a blue question mark at her top right.

Nic suggested we ask the Scottish Government to say where this money was spent.

Julia asked if the Scottish Government was allowed to spend the 2025 fund on other things.

A screen / ipad with a laughing lady holding an ipad on it with a yellow background. Other faces are along the top of the screen.

The Group agreed to ask the Minister this at the meeting on 25 September.

This meeting date has now been changed.

A man in a wheelchair talks to a lady who is kneeling down.

5. Personal Assistant (PA) conditions - Andy Higgins

Andy shared a paper with the Group about PA issues including:

  • if PAs can be paid during their breaks
  • PA travel

This asked if ILF Scotland could cover the taxi fare or mileage at 45 pence per mile for PAs to use their car when supporting a recipient to travel.

A recipient is a person who gets ILF money.

Mileage costs are how much money is paid for each mile of travel.

Nic said her PA had asked about mileage costs.

  • PA wages

Andy would like all PAs to be paid 12 pounds an hour.

Julia said it is difficult for her to hire a PA because of the low wage.

People are more likely to work for supermarkets that pay more.

A man leans over another in a wheelchair. They are touching hands.

Christine said it is important to keep PAs so that recipients get support that stays the same.

Wages are the main things that makes it hard for people to keep PAs.

Gordon said he could not get PAs with experience when offering 10 pounds 90 pence an hour.

Christine asked if ILF Scotland could look at an ILF minimum wage that is separate from the Scottish Government care wage.

A minimum wage is the lowest amount of money you should be paid.

Linda and Peter will talk about this, and will explain at the next meeting how contingency funds can be used.

6. PA Programme Board Update - Jack Blaik

Jack said one of the recommendations from the review of adult social care (also called the Feeley review) is that:

A man in a striped jumper enthusiastically shakes hands with another man.
  • PAs should be more valued

Valued means that people think that they are important and recognise that they do a good job.

  • the challenges that disabled people face when they are trying to hire and retain PAs should be recognised

Jack said the Programme Board are still talking about this.

Jack said the Scottish Government have agreed to deliver the 12 pounds an hour wage for PAs.

We do not know when this will happen.

Jack said it is difficult because there are different rates of pay across the 32 Scottish local councils.

A National Care Service would help to make this better.

Rule Book with Rules written on the front and a green tick and red cross on the front.

Jack said there is a slight chance that the rules and registration of PAs could change.

Information about this could be in the independent review that ends in September 2023.

A black lady in a suit and glasses points at a check list sign that reads numbers 1 2 3.

7. 2015 fund evaluation and social return on investment - Finbarr Fitzpatrick

Finbarr’s work will be very important in supporting the ILF Scotland 2015 fund re-opening.

Linda said the Advisory Group must agree to this work happening.

Two females with speech bubbles. One in pink, the other in black. The one in black is writing something on her clipboard.

The Advisory Group could support Finbarr by:

  • taking part in interviews
A man in a t-shirt slumps over a desk. His hand is holding his head up. Thought bubbles show a thumbs up and a thumbs down.
  • saying what they think of the draft report

Finbarr shared a presentation about the 2019 Northern Ireland report.

He is updating the information in this report.

The Scottish report compares Scottish information with information from Northern Ireland report.

We have not asked for a full report because a lot of the issues will be the same in Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Important things like the covid pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis will be in the Scottish report.

Three people in white t-shirts with their thumbs up

Linda asked if Jim and the Group were happy with this and they said yes.

8. Joint stakeholder and advisory group event update - Harvey Tilley

Harvey said the event has been moved to 28 March 2024.

There was no space in Parliament to have the event in October as planned.

9. SDSS Training Framework (Johanne McBean)

Johanne talked about PA training.

A group is looking at training, and health and wellbeing for personal assistants:

  • to give help to PAs, particularly new PAs
  • to support people to be better employers

Gordon and Chloe said it is important that PA training is right for each recipient.

10. Policy Update - Linda Scott

Linda will send out the draft suspension policy 38 after her meeting with Jack and Colin.

Suspension is when a recipient’s money is stopped for a while.

A pile of money and a calculator with a hand pressing the buttons. A red up arrow is on the right.

The sponsor team are still talking about increasing the maximum award for an ILF recipient.

This must be affordable now and in future years.

11. Charter for Involvement - Emma O’Neill

This will move to the next meeting as Emma is off work.

12. Using the words ‘disabled people’ or ‘people with disabilities’ - Nic Reid

This will move to the next meeting.

Three people behind a desk with speech bubbles above their heads. The middle bubble reads 'Any Other Business?

13. Any other business – what else do we need to talk about?

There was nothing else we needed to talk about.

14. Date of the next meeting - Linda Scott

Lee to look at dates for meeting in person and to include a Christmas lunch.

Copyright images © Photosymbols. Prepared by Disability Equality Scotland

202312 - Scotland Advisory Group Minutes - December 2023

Note of Meeting
Scotland Advisory Group Meeting

Thursday 21 December, via Zoom

Present

In Attendance

ILF Scotland Staff

Apologies

List of Actions:

1. Welcome and Introductions

Jim Elder-Woodward welcomed everyone to the meeting. Everyone agreed to Lee recording the meeting.

2. Minutes from previous meetings

Minutes agreed and signed off. Lee to pass to communications team to be uploaded to ILF Scotland website.

Actions from previous meeting

3. Matters Arising

Anne-Marie Monaghan introduced herself to the Advisory group and advised on her new role as chair of the board.

Contingency funds – a meeting has been set up in early 2024 with the ILF Scotland assessors to discuss guidance.

Jim asked Peter if there was an answer to the question of how any underspend of the money from the UK Government that is allocated for ILF Scotland for disabled people in Scotland was spent. Peter advised Jim that that ILF Scotland draws down the money that it needs to spend from the Scottish Government and that this might not always be the full budget allocation in any one year. Peter confirmed the commitment to abolish care charges from the Scottish Government.

Gordon advised the group that he felt it would be worth writing to the Scottish Government about abolishing the charges.

Peter has asked we invite Maree Todd to the next meeting in 2024 to address these questions raised.

4. Re-Opening 2015 Update (Jim Elder-Woodward)

Peter acknowledged that the Advisory Group was instrumental in the 2015 fund re-opening. The letters and meetings with various ministers were key in re- decision.

The fund will re-open in April 2024 with an initial investment of 9 million pounds. Work has begun on bringing new staff on board along with system and policy work. Consultation events have started and a few Advisory Group members attended the first co-production event at Murrayfield in Edinburgh. All the minutes from the event are now uploaded to the website with all the details of the future events in January and February.

5. 2015 Fund Evaluation and SROI

Finbarr Fitzpatrick gave a presentation on the 2015 Fund evaluation. The key aspects mentioned was that ILF Scotland was an enabler for independent living outcomes including socialisation and hobbies. There were key points made about a pathway to education and healthy relationships. SROI calculations found that for every £1 spent £12 to £13 was generated in social value.

Harvey Tilley joined the meeting at 2.40pm

6. Joint Stakeholder Event Update

Harvey advised the group that the Scottish Parliament has been booked for the 28 March, 5.30pm to 7.30pm for the re-opening celebration event. We have confirmed rooms at the Village Hotel in Edinburgh for people staying over before the event and for the Joint Stakeholder group meeting with dinner afterwards. Harvey advised that we should discuss the agenda with Jim and finalise.

Harvey Tilley left the meeting at 2.52pm

7. Any Other Business

Justina asked if anyone had a PA that was a member of the union to which the reply was none.

Peter advised that the PA network was gaining interest from the Scottish Government and was looking to expand.

Anne-Marie Monaghan advised that a lot of work has been completed around the Scottish PA network and they are trying to establish a place where a PAs can get together. There is also a hope that a discount card system will be set up to support PAs.

14. Next Meetings

Lee will send out in the advance the dates for 2024.

202308 - Scotland Advisory Group Minutes - August 2023

Note of Meeting
Scotland Advisory Group Meeting

Thursday 17 August, via Zoom

Present

In Attendance

ILF Scotland Staff

Apologies

List of Actions:

1. Welcome and Introductions

Jim Elder-Woodward welcomed everyone to the meeting. Everyone agreed to Lee recording the meeting.

2. Minutes from previous meetings

Minutes agreed and signed off. Lee to pass to communications team to be uploaded to ILF Scotland website.

Actions from previous meeting

3. Matters arising

Jim asked everyone to raise hand on Zoom if they would like to make a point or ask a question.

4. Re-Opening 2015 Update (Jim Elder-Woodward)

Peter advised the group that there have been a few parliamentary questions asked by the Labour MSP Paul O’Kane. These have now been answered and the stance remains the same around affordability for re-opening of the fund. The Scottish Government have said they will keep it under review for re-opening. The statements mentioned there would be upcoming engagement opportunities. Peter has checked this, and this was mis-worded. This was relating to a meeting with Peter and the Chair of ILF Scotland’s Board and the minister.

Peter advised the Group that one of the answers to the questions confirmed that the Scottish Government had allocated £53.3 me for the ILF 2015 Fund but in the 7 years since 2016, approximately £40m in total was not spent on ILF Scotland. Nic suggested that the group follow up on these points to ask if the Scottish Government can disclose where this allocation was spent.

Julia asked the group if the Scottish Government were allowed to spend money elsewhere when it was originally allocated to the 2015 fund.

The Group agreed to follow up at the meeting with the minister on 25 September. (Post meeting note: this meeting to be rescheduled)

Jack Blaik joined the meeting at 1.30PM

5. PA Conditions (Andy Higgins)

Andy shared a paper with the Group that outlined a number of PA issues including: covered breaks for PAs, PA Travel including asking if ILF Scotland could cover the Taxi fare or mileage at 45 pence per mile for PAs to use their car to support recipient travel, and the issue of PA wages – Andy would like to see a commitment across the board to pay at £12.00 per hour.

Nic said her PA had asked about mileage costs and Julia stated she is having issues recruiting PAs at the moment due to wages offered. She feels they are more tempted to take opportunities with higher paying supermarkets for example.

Christine raised the point that consistency of support by keeping PAs is important and that wages are a key issue for retaining staff at the moment.

Gordon advised that when advertising for PAs, the quality of experience was not available when offering £10.90 per hour.

Christine asked if ILF Scotland could look at an ILF minimum wage aside from the Scottish Government care wage.

Linda and Peter will discuss and provide some clarity on the use of contingency funds at the next meeting.

6. PA Programme Board Update (Jack Blaik)

Jack advised that one of the recommendations that emerged from the review of adult social care (also known as the Feeley review) is that PAs should be more valued and the challenges that disabled people face when they are trying to hire and retain PAs should be recognised. Jack advised that this issueis ongoing within the Programme Board and is in the public domain.

Jack advised the Group that there is clear agreement from the Scottish Government to deliver the £12 per hour for wage for PAs but he is not yet clear about when this can be implemented.

Jack advised there is a challenge across the 32 local authorities due to varied rates and that a National Care Service would help alleviate some of these issues.

Jack advised that there is slight chance of anything changing regarding the regulation and registration of PAs. There is an independent reviewing ongoing, which is due to complete in September 2023 and there may be some reference to this issue in the final report.

7. 2015 Fund Evaluation and SROI (Finbarr Fitzpatrick)

The work that Finbarr will complete should be influential in supporting the ILF Scotland 2015 fund re-opening. Linda advised that the Advisory Group, in its role as Sponsor, would need to agree to this work being undertaken and it would be helpful if they could support Finbarr by agreeing to take part in interviews as well as providing feedback on the draft report.

Finbarr shared a presentation outlining the 2019 Northern Ireland report and findings. Finbarr is currently working on updating the information in this report. The Scottish report would be based on a comparative exercise with the Northern Ireland report i.e. largely a desktop exercise as opposed to a full evaluation exercise. Jim asked why we were not commissioning a full report.

Finbarr responded that this is because we believe that a lot of the issues faced in Northern Ireland will be equally relevant in Scotland. Finbarr confirmed that current key issues like the covid pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis will be included.

Linda asked if Jim and the Group were content to proceed on this basis and this was agreed.

Finbar Fitzpatrick left the meeting at 15.04

8. Joint Stakeholder / Advisory Group Event Update (Harvey Tilley)

Harvey advised the Group that the event has now been moved to 28 March 2023 as there is no space available in Parliament to host the event at the end of October as originally planned.

Martha Shortreed left the meeting at 15.18

Johanne McBean joined the meeting at 15.23

9. SDSS Training Framework (Johanne McBean)

Johanne discussed the PA training workforce, which is related to the PA Programme Board. There is a subgroup for training and health & wellbeing for personal assistants. Johanne explained that the intention is to provide help to PAs, particularly new PAs, but also to support people to be better employers.

Gordon and Chloe mentioned that is important that PA training is tailor made to the recipient.

10. Policy Update (Linda Scott)

Linda will send out the draft suspension policy 38 after an upcoming meeting with Jack Blaik and Colin Dunlop for review.

Linda also confirmed there is ongoing discussions with the sponsor team around increasing the maximum award for an ILF recipient. ILF Scotland need to be able to assure the sponsor team that this is affordable this year and sustainable in future years.

11. Charter for Involvement (Emma O’Neill)

Carry forward to the next meeting as Emma is currently absent from work.

12. Preferred Terminology i.e. “Disabled People” v “People With Disabilities” (Nic Reid)

Carry forward to the next meeting.

13. Any Other Business (Jim Elder-Woodward)

None.

14. Future Meeting Dates and Arrangements (Linda Scott)

Lee to look at dates for meeting in person and to include a Christmas Lunch.

2022 - Scotland Advisory Group Actions - May, August and December 2022 (Easy Read)

ILF Scotland logo

Independent Living Fund Scotland

Scottish Recipient Advisory Group Meeting

Action Points from May, August and December 2022 Meetings

May 22 Meeting Actions

1. Lee will send out electronic forms to the group to check and make any comments on.

2. Lee to add registration and regulation of personal assistants to the next meeting agenda.

A black lady in a suit and glasses points at a sign that reads 1 2 3.

3. Lee to put Terms of Reference higher up on the next agenda.

August 2022 meeting actions

Papers with the word contract at the top and a picture of a handshake. A hand with a pen signs the document.

1.Peter and Linda to talk about agencies agreeing to contracts before the person who gets ILF money has been told.

A group of people including one holding a cane, one in a wheelchair and one with a helmet giving the thumbs up. The lady in the middle wears red.

2. Lee to change the wording in future documents, from ‘people with disabilities’ to ‘disabled people’.

3. Lee to add an agenda item to the next meeting agendas.

The agenda item will be about the joint stakeholder event.

4. Lee to keep ‘Planned registration and regulation of personal assistants’ on the agenda for the next meeting.

December 2022 Meeting Actions

A man with a maroon rasta cap / tam on his head. He wear a suit and is about to sign something on the desk in front of him.

1.The Advisory Group have asked that Jim send a further letter to the Minister Kevin Stewart about his decision not to reduce the Available Income contributions.

2. Linda and Lee will send out an email to ask who would like to be part of a working group to discuss and organise the Joint Stakeholder Groups meeting in Scotland.

Copyright images © Photosymbols. Prepared by Disability Equality Scotland

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