The integration of health and social care is the Scottish Government’s programme of reform to improve services for people who use health and social care services (find out more here!).
Two health and social care partnerships cover the Forth Valley area – one for Falkirk and one for Clackmannanshire and Stirling – each led by an Integration Joint Board (IJB).
Falkirk District
Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership (FHSCP) is one of 31 integration bodies in Scotland, serving a population of over 160,000 across rural and urban communities. It aims to enable people in Falkirk to live full and positive lives within supportive and inclusive communities.
The Partnership’s workforce is employed by Falkirk Council, NHS Forth Valley, and its partners in the third and independent sectors. They work in local social work offices, health centres, GP Practices, community hospitals, care homes, intermediate care facilities, day centres, and communities across the Falkirk area.
The Partnership delivers adult social care and social work support, as well as children’s social work and justice social work services. Its wide range of services are overseen by the Integration Joint Board.
Steering Groups at the Falkirk HSCP
Integration Joint Board
Falkirk’s Integration Joint Board is responsible for the planning, resourcing and operational oversight of a wide range of health and social care services. The Board manages an annual budget of over £310m and is made up of representatives from Falkirk Council, NHS Forth Valley, the third sector, service users, and carers. The Board is supported by its Performance, Audit and Assurance Committee.
Carer representatives are elected following a recruitment process involving the partnership, the Carers Centre and other local organisations.
Carer Representatives:
Role:
- Champion carers’ involvement at all levels.
- Connect with other Carer Representatives and carers to ensure diverse views are being collected and represented locally.
- Objectively identify and aim to understand patterns of experience affecting multiple carers.
- Raise suggestions and concerns about issues affecting carers.
- Contribute to discussions and provide advice and scrutiny from a carer’s perspective.
- Filter, collate and share information from IJB meetings to update carers without breaching confidentiality.
Carers Strategy Group
The Carers Strategy Group provides updates on the delivery of the Falkirk Carers Strategy. This Strategy aims to deliver better outcomes for unpaid carers. The Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership finds it vital to report to and hear from unpaid carers in Falkirk as part of this.
The group provides updates on the delivery of the Falkirk Carers Strategy and identifies areas where further improvement can be targeted. The delivery of the Strategy is monitored using a Delivery Plan. The Strategy Group can inform strategy and funding priorities for unpaid carers, and feedback from the group may also inform comments from Carer Leads at national policy meetings.
Carer Representatives:
Role:
- Carers Strategy: Give a carer perspective on the delivery of the Carers Strategy.
- Accountability: Ensure the Group remains accountable to unpaid carers by explaining why decisions are made.
- Provide Input: Participate actively in meetings and provide valuable insights based on carer experiences.
- Advocate: Represent the interests and needs of carers.
- Community Representation: Attend other groups to gather the views of carers, particularly the Carers Voice Group at the Carers Centre.
- Open Dialogue: Maintain a dialogue between the Group and unpaid carers. The Group’s role is to ensure any questions are answered and actions explained.
- Impact: Contributions will directly influence the delivery of the Carers Strategy.
Dementia Strategy Group
The Falkirk Dementia Strategy Group meet regularly to identify priorities and areas of improvement to improve outcomes for people living with dementia. Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership work collaboratively with a range of partners. They are currently working to develop a local dementia strategy following the publication of a national dementia strategy.
The Group is also an “expert commissioning group” who reviews funding applications to the Dementia Innovation Fund and makes recommendations to the FHSCP Senior Leadership Team on how the Fund is used to meet their funding priorities and outcomes.
Carer Representatives:
Role:
- Dementia Strategy: Give a carer perspective on the development of the Falkirk Dementia Strategy.
- Provide Input: Participate actively in meetings and provide valuable insights and feedback based on their experiences of caring for someone with dementia.
- Advocate: Represent the interests and needs of people affected by dementia.
- Impact: Contributions will directly influence the development of the Falkirk Dementia Strategy and improve the dementia service pathway.
- Funding: Provide views and feedback on funding applications to the Dementia Innovation Fund.
Digital Health and Care Programme Board
The Digital Health and Care Programme Board is a governance body that includes key stakeholders from various services and partners. It was created to oversee and ensure the strategic alignment and compliance of digital and technology projects within the FHSCP. This Board plays a crucial role in the successful implementation of digital health and care technologies, aligning efforts with broader Falkirk Council and NHS Forth Valley digital strategies to improve health and social care services.
The Digital Health and Care Programme Board is responsible for several functions:
- Decision-Making: It makes recommendations to the Transformation Board on digital health and care projects.
- Policy and Service Development: It supports the creation of business cases and strategic plans for digital health and care projects.
- Information Sharing and Networking: It engages with Falkirk Council and NHS Forth Valley to align plans and share information effectively.
- Monitoring and Reporting: It monitors project progress, performance, quality, and safety, ensuring continuous improvement and effective governance.
Carer Representative:
Role:
- Provide Input: Carer representatives are expected to provide valuable insights and feedback based on their experiences.
- Advocate: Represent the interests and needs of carers within the digital health and care landscape.
- Engage in Discussions: Participate actively in meetings, providing perspectives on proposed projects and strategies.
- Monitor Progress: Help in monitoring the implementation of digital projects to ensure they meet the needs of carers and service users.
Alcohol and Drugs Partnership (ADP Lived Experience Panel)
The ADP Lived Experience Panel, also known as the Authentic Voices Group, represents the voices of those with lived experience in the decision-making processes of the ADP. The Panel provides support to workstreams within the ADP, including policy and strategy development, and provides advice on improving services. The work carried out by the Lived Experience Panel feeds into the ADP Executive Committee, which is the decision-making body for the ADP. The committee includes members from NHS Forth Valley, Falkirk Council, Emergency Services, and the third sector.
The Panel has power in the decision-making processes of the ADP. It expresses their views on decisions made by the Executive Committee and makes suggested amendments where appropriate. The Panel has the power to put forward recommended actions in line with the Panel’s work plan and within the scope of the Executive Committee’s capabilities, which they would like the Executive Committee to approve.
Carer Representative:
Role
- Panel Development: Support the development of the panel.
- Provide Input: Participate actively in meetings and contribute to the work of the panel.
- Community Representation: Represent the diverse voice of lived experience in Falkirk.
- Lived Experience Voice: Contribute their own lived experience perspective to influence local policy development.
- Network: Build relationships with other people involved in the lived experience community.
One-off opportunities to be involved with
There are various other one-off opportunities to represent carers’ voices including but not limited to:
- Short life working groups:
A Short Life Working Group (SLWG) is a temporary, task-focused team established to address a specific issue or project within a limited timeframe.
- Round table discussions at the parliament:
A round table discussion is a collaborative, inclusive conversation where all participants have equal opportunity to contribute, fostering open dialogue and collective problem-solving.
- Attending other meetings at the Parliament in person or online.
- Press opportunities, such as making short podcasts or being in the newspaper, to raise Carer Awareness.
- Outreach work to raise Carer Awareness.
Carer Representatives:
Role:
- Provide Input: Carer representatives are expected to provide valuable insights and feedback based on their experiences.
- Advocate: Represent the interests and needs of carers.
- Engage in Discussions: Participate actively in meetings, providing perspectives on proposed projects and strategies.
- Monitor Progress: Help in monitoring the implementation of projects to ensure they meet the needs of carers and service users.
Clackmannanshire
Integration Joint Board
Clackmannanshire is covered by the Clackmannanshire & Stirling Health & Social Care Partnership (CSHSCP), which is comprised of a joint integration board of members from both Clackmannanshire and Stirling council areas, as well as NHS Forth Valley, third Sector representatives, service users and carers. The Partnership’s vision is to enable people to live full and positive lives within supportive communities in Clackmannanshire and Stirling.
Carer representatives are elected following a recruitment process involving the partnership, the Carers Centre and other local organisations. For more information, please contact Stirling Carers Centre.