Northern Ireland Stakeholder Group Meeting - September 2024

Permanent Members Present

Caroline Wheeler

David McDonald, Chairperson joined via Zoom. Niqi Rainey

Robert Dallas joined Meeting at 12.46.

Affiliate Members Present

None (asked to absent)

ILF Scotland Representatives in Attendance

Peter Scott Harvey Tilley Linda Scott

Robert White joined at PM via Zoom Lee House

Karen Burnett via Zoom

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

Permanent Members Apologies

Frances McHugh Collette Jones

Affiliate Members Apologies

None (asked to absent)

List of Actions:

  1. Lee/Linda to write to all Permanent Members who have not attended sufficient Group Meetings since before Covid-19, in accordance with our Terms of Reference, to ask them to confirm that they no longer wish to remain with the Group.
  2. David to confirm with Kieran that he has formerly stepped down as Vice Chairperson.
  3. Linda/Colin to ask an adviser/expert on Universal Credit to attend an upcoming Stakeholder Meeting.
  4. David to follow up IMMNI membership.
  5. Linda to email out changes to the Terms of Reference for Permanent Members to review and agree, alongside the Group name change & Election of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson, with their respective roles and responsibilities.
  6. Lee to email out Christmas Lunch arrangements.

1.          Welcome, Introductions, Apologies & Housekeeping

David welcomed everyone to the Meeting. Lee Informed the Members of the fire exits.

2.          Minutes from Previous Meeting

The Group approved the previous Meeting’s minutes. ILF Scotland’s Communications Team will upload to the website.

Actions from previous Meeting

List of Actions:

3.          Matters Arising

Caroline raised concerns about the continuing delay in increasing the ILF hourly rate for this current financial year and its financially detrimental impact on PAs who are on Universal Credit. Caroline raised concerns also about the misalignment in periods of payment, some being four weekly and others being monthly. Caroline asked for more information on how to manage Universal Credit and these issues. Linda and Colin agreed that they would invite an adviser/expert on Universal Credit to attend an upcoming Meeting.

Niqi referred to the item discussed at the last Meeting about the Stakeholder Group qualifying as a Disabled People’s Organisation (DPO). Niqi said she believed that this might not be possible. Harvey informed the Members that they received no legal advice as yet on this matter, but it had been discussed internally. Linda stated that the Terms of Reference would need to be changed if this was to be actioned. Peter said that he liked the suggestion but the Group would have to be

constituted differently to be a DPO and ILF Scotland would have to make changes firstly before this could happen. Members agreed not to proceed with the matter and remain constituted as they are now.

Linda informed the Members that sending a Representative to the Disability Forum of the Independent Monitoring Mechanism for Northern Ireland (IMMNI) is allowed for in our Terms of Reference. Members agreed to propose that we send a Representative. David agreed to follow this up.

4.   Hourly Rate Increase

Linda informed the Members that a submission has been made to the Government in Northern Ireland regarding hourly rate increases, to ensure it is in line with the National Minimum Wage increases, and backdated payments. Colin informed the Members that the submission was currently being considered and a decision was expected to be made later this month.

David remarked that this needs to be actioned in April to allow Recipients and their Award Managers, together with any third parties involved, to comply with their legal obligations to increase PAs wages in line with the National Minimum Wage at the decreed time, usually the beginning of each financial year, namely April. Making the monies available to Recipients and their Award Managers later in the financial year and expecting backdating to be satisfactory causes considerable problems including for PAs in receipt of Universal Credit. Caroline concurred that the payment being made in April is important, for all concerned, not least to keep within the line of the law.

Peter agreed to highlight the Universal Credit issue to Colin when considering the paper for wage increases and payments.

5.  Policy Update

Linda informed the Members that there was not much to update on currently, except that, in Scotland, following the re-opening of the Fund there, a policy change to the maximum award has been made. The maximum award for the re-opened fund is £330 per week.

Linda added that the main focus has been on the re-opening of the Fund in Scotland and ensuring that applications are being completed as promptly and properly as possible.

6.   Re-Opening of 2015 Fund Review

Colin Informed the Members that he is currently working with his team to submit the case for re-opening the Fund to the new Minister, Mike Nesbitt, MLA, adding that that submission is due in for consideration this month. David asked had Deena received any reply from the Minister to her second letter to him, which included reference to reopening the Fund. Colin agreed to check if there had been any reply.

7.   Terms of Reference

The Members discussed their concerns about the increasingly small number of Members and its impact on having enough of a quorum to make decisions. Linda confirmed that the Group’s Terms of Reference require 5 Permanent Members to be present for a quorum and any decisions to be agreed. Peter informed the Members that the ILF Board Quorum is currently 3. The Members discussed and agreed changing the number for a quorum to 3 also, in order to move ahead effectively.

Linda suggested she send out revised Terms of Reference, with the suggested changes, to enable all Permanent Members, including those not present today, to agree this change by email. The Members present agreed this.

8.   Name of Group

Linda Informed the Members that the Advisory Group in Scotland had originally been called the Recipient Advisory Group but had changed this to the ILF Scotland Advisory Group to make it clear that they were not providing advice to recipients. David had suggested NI Advisory Group. Niqi raised a couple of concerns, one being that if someone joining the Group would be committed to giving advice, the other being that the name of the Group could have an impact on attracting members. David expressed concerns that stakeholders implies more than Recipients and Award Managers and was too broad a term for who we are. David added

that the only people we are advising as an Advisory Group are ILF Scotland and relevant local Government Representatives. David concluded by pointing out that the Advisory Group in Scotland were not experiencing difficulties by using the name and that, indeed, their Membership had increased.

Robert joined the Meeting.

The Members agreed to change the name to ILF Northern Ireland (NI) Advisory Group.

Linda agreed to send out this change along with the Terms of Reference suggested changes.

9.   Membership Matters

The Members agreed this had been covered in a previous agenda point.

10.   Centre for Independent Living NI Proposal

Peter Informed the Members that Deena Nimick had been appointed as Campaigns and Policy Manager for the Centre for Independent Living Northern Ireland (CILNI). David added that it’s Chief Executive Officer, Bryan Myles, who had been an Affiliate Member until recently, had written to the Group asking that consideration be give to Deena taking his place. The Members thanked Bryan and Deena both and wished their thanks recorded but agreed that our Terms of Reference did not allow Deena’s Membership any more than it did Bryan’s, as a representative of an organisation rather than an individual in their own right. David suggested that we consider alternative opportunities to avail of Deena’s and Bryan’s experience, expertise and enthusiasm, which would form part of the Members’ later discussions.

11.   Election of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson.

Peter suggested that within other communications to the Group, the description of the roles and responsibilities, as detailed in the Terms of Reference, be included so that Members can review them if considering putting themselves forward for the posts. The Members agreed.

Peter, Harvey and Colin left the Meeting.

12.   Christmas Lunch Arrangements

Lee agreed to email out Christmas Lunch details in coming weeks.

13.   Disabled People’s Parliament

David Informed the Members about the re-establishment of the Disabled People’s Parliament and asked might they be interested in attending?

The Members agreed their interest in doing so and to attend as either individuals or Members of the Group. David agreed to keep them informed of developments and the next meetings of the Parliament.

13.   Re-Opening Of 2015 Fund Again

David raised concerns about the length of time it has taken to try to persuade will Department of Health here to reopen the Fund in NI, the more so since Scotland has reopened Its Fund nearly 9 months ago. David reckoned it will soon be time to escalate matters and wished to suggest the following staged approach:

invite the new Minister of Health, Mike Nesbitt, MLA, to meet us, to encourage him to reopen the Fund in NI;

identify potential Recipients to join us in the meeting; re-establish the Working Group;

organise an event at the Assembly to spotlight the life-giving properties of the Independent Living Fund and our quest to reopen it for others like us, inviting the new Minister of Health and other MLAs to join us at it;

present our quest to the Health Committee and ask for their support;

invite MLAs to ask questions of the Minister of Health about reopening.

David Informed the Members that he has invited an MLA to sponsor the event and reserve the Senate Chamber, at Parliament Buildings, Stormont for a 2-hour duration on a Monday or Tuesday in December.

David added that we should invite Jim Elder-Woodward and the Scotland Advisory Group to the event.

Niqi suggested a new Recipient of the re-opened Fund in Scotland make a video or come to the event in person to exhort the impact of now having the funding.

Linda recommended that re-establishing the Working Group be discussed with Colin.

The Members agreed to proceed with all the above in turn as warranted.

14.   Promoting PAs

The Members discussed the role that is required of PAs. Caroline stated we need to recognise them as Personal Care Assistants and the difference between a Carer and PA. David recommended that initially the value of the work of PAs paid with Independent Living Funding be the focus. Emma agreed to explore this.

Linda informed the Members that in terms of promoting PAs, ILF Scotland have completed a case study on Joan Turner who is a member of the Scotland Advisory Group. Chloe McKee who is also a member of the Scotland Advisory Group is writing a blog with her PA. Caroline stated she would be happy to take some of this work forward in NI via online discussions. The Members agreed this should be discussed in more detail at the next Joint Stakeholder Meeting which is taking place in Mid-October.

David left the Meeting.

15.   Any Other Business

The Members agreed to keep the re-opening of the Fund in NI high on the agenda with an updated submission with the latest figures. Linda agreed to ask Peter and Harvey to follow up.

16.   Next Meeting Arrangements

Next Meeting is Tuesday 10 December with

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

202402 - Northern Ireland Advisory Group Minutes - February 2024 (Easy Read)

Independent Living Fund Scotland

Northern Ireland Stakeholder Group Meeting Minutes

29 February 2024

Easy Read

a pink rectangle with the disability equality Scotland logo in white, inside it - a white outline of a speech bubble with an equals sign inside it next to the words easy read made by Disability Equality Scotland. It is next to a blue rectangle with a white tick on it with the words made with photosymbols on it.

Who was at this meeting?

The meeting happened on 29 February from 11am to 3pm.

The meeting happened in 2 ways:

  • on Zoom
  • at the Mount Conference Centre in Belfast

Permanent Members

David McDonald, Chair
Robert Dallas
Niqi Rainey
Frances McHugh (on Zoom)
Caroline Wheeler (on Zoom)

Affiliate Members

Amanda Paul
Bryan Myles

From ILF Scotland

Lee House
Harvey Tilley
Ross Browning

Who could not come to the meeting?

Kieran McCarthy, Vice Chairperson

List of Actions

Envelope with email written on it on a screen of a laptop
  • Lee to send out Policy 28 to all group members
  • David to check on and forward the link to the UK Government / UN Committee Session to Robert and other Members
Envelope with email written on it on a screen of a laptop
  • David to send out his letter to Minister Swann and the Minister's Response

All these actions have been done.

1. Welcome

David welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Lee said where the fire exits are.

2. Minutes of previous meeting

Everyone agreed the Minutes from the last meeting were fine.

The minutes will be put on the ILF website.

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.

Actions from the last meeting:

There were no actions from the last meeting.

3. Matters arising - what do we need to talk about

David said that Disabled People’s Organisations were going to Geneva, Switzerland for the UK Government session with the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on 18 March 2024.

The Northern Ireland representatives are:

  • Michael Lorimer who met with us at our last meeting
  • Tony O’Reilly, who was a speaker at our joint Gathering in Stormont in 2019
  • 2 other disabled people who are wheelchair users

Robert asked whether it would be available to watch online or on TV.

David will check and let Robert and the group know.

A meeting with 4 people at a table and 2 people on screens. A red arrow points from them to the right.

David asked that Items 7, 11, 13 and 14 be carried forward to our next meeting to allow enough time to discuss them.

All Members agreed to this.

4. Election of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson

This will happen at the next meeting.

5. Re-Opening of the 2015 Fund in Northern Ireland

Harvey talked about the work being done to make sure the Fund reopens in April 2024.

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.

6 co-production events have taken place in person and online.

A Report with lines underneath. It's ring bound on the left.

Information from these events will be in a report for the Minister.

There is now a Government in Northern Ireland.

When the budget is complete, a submission will go to the Minister from the Sponsor Team to re-open the Fund in Northern Ireland, hopefully in the next 4 to 6 weeks.

A group of people sitting meeting round a table.

If approved, we would then have co-production events across Northern Ireland in the same way as Scotland.

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

David has sent a letter to the Minister inviting him to speak at the Joint Stakeholder Event in Edinburgh at the end of March.

David will tell the group when he gets a reply.

Some people are worried that the budget would only be enough for one year of reopening.

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

Harvey said that Colin Dunlop discussed this with him and does not think this will affect the reopening of the Fund.

Budgets would be reviewed every year.

6. Joint Stakeholder Event update

A lady in a green t-shirt and green shoes gives a thumbs up. She stands beside a list with 5 green ticks on it.

Harvey said a lot of work has happened:

  • the agenda has been agreed
  • accommodation has been arranged for guests
  • arrangements have been made about travel and food requirements
  • presentations are complete
  • we are waiting for some final notes from both Ministers
A table of people. In front is a list with the numbers 1 to 5 and squiggles after each number.

Harvey said the event is not a reopening launch but it is about celebrating a life with purpose.

Harvey talked about the agenda and discussed the event at Holyrood.

7. Review visits

Man looks at his watch. Big red tick in front of him and a stopwatch behind him.

Harvey said the review visits have been slightly delayed across Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The Assessor team are working to deal with this.

A man in a black suit is holding a clipboard and a red pen. on the clipboard is a list. The first two boxes have red crosses (x marks) on them.

At review visits, people say that recruiting personal assistants, and the cost of living are still making things difficult.

Four people wearing lanyards. These people are professional staff members.

Harvey said ILF Scotland have taken on new staff.

8. Policy Update suspensions

A laptop with click and a hand icon on the screen

Harvey said Policy 38 has been signed off by the Scottish and the NI Government and is on the ILF Scotland website.

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

Harvey talked about payment for managing awards.
ILF Scotland cannot do this on their own.

The Government have said this would cost too much.

Caroline asked if we can be paid for attending meetings.

Harvey said that ILF can cover all reasonable costs including travel, food and additional caring costs but cannot pay for attendance at a meeting.

The Government would not support this.

A man in a suit holds a list on a clipboard in front of him and a green pen. He's ticked the first 2 items.

ILF Scotland will keep looking at how to do this and will report back when any progress is made.

9. Charter for Involvement

A meeting with 4 people at a table and 2 people on screens. A red arrow points from them to the right.

This will happen at the next meeting.

10. Any Other Business

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

No one had anything to add.

14. Next Meeting

The next meeting will be on Tuesday 28 May 2024.

Copyright images © Photosymbols.

Prepared by Disability Equality Scotland

a pink rectangle with the disability equality Scotland logo in white, inside it - a white outline of a speech bubble with an equals sign inside it next to the words easy read made by Disability Equality Scotland. It is next to a blue rectangle with a white tick on it with the words made with photosymbols on it.

202402 - Northern Ireland Advisory Group Minutes - February 2024

Note of Meeting
Northern Ireland Stakeholder Group Meeting

Thursday 29 February 2024, 11am to 3pm
The Mount Conference Centre and via Zoom

Permanent Members Present

Affiliate Members Present

ILF Scotland Representatives in Attendance

Permanent Members Apologies

List of Actions:

1. Welcome, Introductions, Apologies & Housekeeping

David welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Lee advised of the fire exits.

2. Minutes from Previous Meetings

The Group approved the previous meeting’s minutes. ILF Scotland’s Communications Team will upload to the website.

Actions from previous meeting
None

3. Matters Arising

David referred to Item 8 and explained that Disabled People’s Organisations were returning to Geneva, Switzerland for the UK Government Session with the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on Monday, 18 March 2024. He added that the NI Representatives were Michael Lorimer, who met with us at our last Meeting, Tony O’Reilly, who had been a speaker for us at our joint Gathering in Stormont in 2019, and two other disabled people, both wheelchair users. Robert asked whether it would be available to watch online or on TV. David replied that he would check and let him, and the other Members of the Group know.

David asked that Items 7 (Disabled People’s Organisation Proposal) 11 (PA Training Programme) 13 (Terms of Reference) and 14 (Membership) be carried forward to our next Meeting, to allow sufficient time to discuss especially arrangements around our Joint Gathering in Edinburgh Scotland. All Members agreed this.

4. Election of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson

Carried forward to next meeting.

5. Re-Opening of the 2015 Fund in Northern Ireland

Harvey advised the group of the latest update with the re-opening in Scotland and the work currently being completed to open on the 1 April 2024. He advised that six co-production events have taken place in person and online. The feedback from these events has been collated and a report is currently being produced for submission to the Minister. Harvey advised that ILF in Scotland is on track to re-open in April 2024.

Harvey noted that the Government in Northern Ireland has been formed and that the budget process is currently ongoing and will be confirmed shortly. Once the budget is complete, a submission will go to the Minister from the Sponsor Team to re-open the Fund in Northern Ireland, hopefully within the next 4 to 6 weeks. If approved, we would then undertake co-production events across Northern Ireland similar to the process followed in Scotland.

David advised the Group that he has sent a letter to the Minister inviting him to join us and speak at the Joint Stakeholder Event in Edinburgh at the end of March. David will share the response with the Group once received. David mentioned that there was a worry that the budget would only be sufficient to support one year of re-opening from the Government. Harvey advised that Colin Dunlop discussed this with him and is confident this should not affect the re-opening and budgets would be reviewed on a yearly basis.

6. Joint Stakeholder Event Update

Harvey advised the Stakeholder Group that a large amount of work has taken place with a set agenda agreed, and accommodation being arranged for guests. The final preparations are ongoing with individual members on travel and food requirements. The presentations are complete, and we are waiting for some final notes from both Ministers in preparation for the event. Harvey re-iterated that the event is not a re-opening launch but rather celebrating a life with purpose. Harvey ran through the agenda and discussed the event at Holyrood.

7. Review Visit Update

Harvey advised that the review visits have been slightly delayed across Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Assessor team are working to address this. PA recruitment and cost of living is still a challenge at review visits.

Harvey advised that ILF Scotland have taken on new staff for now and the future re-opening.

8. Policy Update Suspensions

Harvey advised that Policy 38 has now been signed off by both the Scottish and the NI Government and ILF Scotland has published it on its website.

Harvey then went on to talk about payment for managing awards. As this has implications across the Health and Social Care landscape, we (ILF Scotland) are unable to do this in isolation. The feedback from Government, is this is not on the agenda as the costs would be prohibitive at this time.

Caroline asked Harvey to confirm if we can be paid for attending meetings. Harvey replied that ILF can cover all reasonable costs including travel, food and additional caring costs but are unable to pay for attendance. The reason for this is it would impact across Government in every forum where lived experience is asked for (not just limited to Health and Social Care). From a Governmental perspective, this is not something that at present could be supported even for ILF Scotland in isolation. Harvey added that ILF Scotland will continue looking at any possibilities of doing this within its current structures and will report back as and when any progress is made.

9. Charter for Involvement

Carried forward to next meeting.

10. Any Other Business

None

11. Proposed Next Meeting and Arrangements

Tuesday 28 May 2024

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

202402 - Northern Ireland Stakeholder Group Minutes - May 2024 (Easy Read)

Independent Living Fund Scotland

Northern Ireland Stakeholder Group Meeting Minutes

28 May 2024

Easy Read

Who was at this meeting?

Permanent Members

Caroline Wheeler

David McDonald, Chairperson

Robert Dallas

Affiliate Members

Amanda Paul

From ILF Scotland

Harvey Tilley

Karen Burnett via Zoom

Lee House

Linda Scott Robert White via Zoom

Who could not come to the meeting?

Frances McHugh

Kieran McCarthy, Vice Chairperson

Niqi Rainey   Bryan Miles

List of Actions

David to book a room for an event at the Northern Ireland Assembly and Harvey to check how ILF Scotland can help.

Linda to ask the Department of Health for an increase to the Independent Living funding to match the new National Minimum Wage, the minimum pay per hour most workers in the UK should be paid by law.

Linda and Lee to arrange for the Northern Ireland and the Scotland Groups to meet together.

Harvey to look at whether the Group could become a Disabled Persons Organisation (DPO).

Linda to look at whether Stakeholder Group members could become a member of IMNI – this stands for the 'Independent Mechanism for Northern Ireland', which helps promote the rights of disabled people.   Lee to check that everyone still wants to be a member of the Group.

1. Welcome

David welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Lee said where the fire exits were.

2. Minutes of previous meeting

The Group agreed on what the minutes from the last meeting said.

The ILF Scotland Communications Team will add to their website.

2. Matters arising - what do we need to talk about

There was nothing else from the last meeting the Group needed to talk about..

3. Joint Stakeholder Event Review

Caroline said the Joint Event was great and Robert D said it was good to see everyone working together. Amanda enjoyed the trip and the meeting. David thanked ILF Scotland for organising the transport and somewhere to stay. He said that hiring wheelchair accessible transport in Northern Ireland was not as easy as it is in Scotland.  Harvey said that ILF Scotland were unhappy about the ramp for wheelchairs as it was dangerous and the layout of the venue for the event could have been much better.

The Scottish Government appreciated the feedback. Linda will write to Edinburgh City Council about the need for taxis that are easy for wheelchairs to get into.

Harvey said that there might be an event to celebrate the 10th anniversary of ILF. This could happen in July 2025 in Scotland. Linda said it might be an Independent Living Conference.

David suggested a meeting at the Northern Ireland Assembly this December.   

He said he was disappointed that none of the MLAs (Members of the Legislative Assesmbly) who are politicians in Northern Ireland could be at the Scotland event. David thinks that it should be a 2-hour event to talk about the Fund for the MLAs and that our friends and colleagues in Scotland would be welcome to share some of their experiences. Harvey said he would look at how ILF Scotland could help with Davids’s suggestion.

4. Re-Opening of the 2015 Fund in Northern Ireland

David wrote 2 weeks ago to Minister Robin Swann who is a member of the Northern Ireland Government. He asked him to look at the re-opening of the Independent Living Fund and said he was welcome to attend this meeting. He was not able to be here because of other work. David asked Colin Dunlop from the Department of Health in Northern Ireland to give the letter to the new Minister, Mike Nesbitt. Colin said that the re-opening of the Independent Living Fund is something the new Minister wants to look at but the cost is still an issue for the Department.

5. Review Visit Update

Robert told everyone that ILF Scotland still has about 80 visits to do so 2 Assessors are coming to help in August. The Assessors said that recipients are still finding it difficult to employ and  Personal Assistants. A Personal Assistant is paid to help people who need social care support to help them to live as independently as possible.

Some people’s needs do not seem to be met because of less money available from social work. The cost of living is also an issue. David asked Robert to tell the Trusts about the effect that reducing care packages will have on recipients’ mental and physical health. These reductions could mean the ILF funding would stop and that would leave recipients and their families worse off. Colin said he would ask about support for people who have had their trust packages reduced.

6. National Minimum Wage and Direct Payment Increases

The National Minimum Wage (NMW) went up from £10.42 to £11.44. Trusts gave the same increase to Personal Assistant rates and it has changed from £15.37 to £16.88 gross - this includes money for holiday pay, national insurance etc. The Trusts will pay this from 1 April 2024. Linda will ask the Department to agree the same level of increase for ILF recipients in Northern Ireland.

David asked ILF Scotland to work quickly on these actions. Amanda left the meeting at 1.52 pm.

7. Designation as Disabled People’s Organisation

David asked if the Stakeholder Group could be a Disabled People’s Organisation. Linda said that role of the Group is to work with ILF Scotland and not as a Disabled People’s Organisation. Harvey said he did not think this was needed but would ask the ILF legal team and tell the Group what they said.

David said that the IMNI (Independent Monitoring Mechanism for Northern Ireland) was set up by the United Nations to check and report on how the government is taking on board the rights of disabled people.

David said that the Stakeholder Group might want to send someone to attend the forum and feedback at the next Group meeting. They could ask questions about issues relevant to the Independent Living Fund. Linda said she would look at this before the next meeting. Harvey left the meeting 14.46.

8. Change of Name and Terms of Reference Review

Both these items were carried over to the next meeting.

9. Membership Review

David asked Lee to speak to HM to ask her if she still wishes to be a member and attend meetings.

Caroline, David, Robert and Linda agreed that ILF Scotland should look for some more new members for the Stakeholder Group. The Group talked about who should be in the Group and decided that the Group should be made up mostly by disabled ILF Scotland Recipients. It was agreed that the Northern Ireland Stakeholder Group should not include anyone representing an organisation. This will be talked about at the next meeting with the full Group.

10. Election of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson

David McDonald was voted in again as the Chairperson of the Group. The Vice Chairperson will be agreed at the next meeting as there was not enough people at the meeting to decide.

11. Charter for Involvement

Linda thanked everyone for attending the joint meeting held recently. Lee will send out minutes, but the main things the joint Group members though important were:

• Raising awareness of what Independent Living is or means

• Role of Award Manager

• Co-production Working Group for the re-opening of the Independent Living Fund

• Accessibility of ILF information

• ILF Scotland Board work

• Case studies of personal Assistants

David said ILF Scotland could work on ways to promote the role of a Personal Assistant. The Group agreed that employing more people and keeping them should be the priority of the charter work.

12. Subject and Planning of Next Joint Meeting

Linda and Lee will send out information on the date of the next meeting.

The Stakeholder Group raised the following to be discussed at the future meetings.

• Personal Assistant Training

• Award Management

13. Any Other Business

None

14. Next Meeting

Tuesday 3rd September 2024 11:30 with 12 o’clock start until 3:00.

Copyright images © Photosymbols.

Prepared by Disability Equality Scotland

a pink rectangle with the disability equality Scotland logo in white, inside it - a white outline of a speech bubble with an equals sign inside it next to the words easy read made by Disability Equality Scotland. It is next to a blue rectangle with a white tick on it with the words made with photosymbols on it.

Skip to content