East Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership’s integrated services have been commended for delivering high-quality, person-centred support for adults with a learning disability in a positive joint inspection report.
Inspectors from the Care Inspectorate and Healthcare Improvement Scotland set out to evaluate how effectively the HSCP delivers services that achieve good health and wellbeing outcomes for adults with learning disabilities and their unpaid carers. As part of the inspection, discussions were held with people experiencing care, including 134 people and carers and 102 members of staff.
Following these discussions, inspectors concluded that people with a learning disability in East Ayrshire receive care and support that respects their rights and treats them with dignity and value.
A key strength identified by inspectors was the strong partnership working between agencies across East Ayrshire. Collaborative working between professionals, particularly those who are co-located, was recognised as making a significant difference to people’s experiences and outcomes. Inspectors specifically praised work to address housing needs and highlighted the valuable contribution made by organisations and services including the UCAN day service and local area co-ordinators.
It was also highlighted that the HSCP invests time and resources in technology-enabled care which can support people to live independently and get the support they need if their health or care needs change.
The report also recognised the significant achievements of the partnership in the face of considerable challenges, including financial pressures, changing demographics, and increasing complexity of support needs. Inspectors acknowledged that these positive outcomes have also been delivered during a period of significant leadership change within both the local authority and the HSCP.
While identifying a number of key strengths, inspectors also highlighted opportunities for further improvements, including reinstating the annual health check programme, increasing the use of carer support plans and future planning arrangements with carers, and continuing to support staff experiencing growing demand and resource pressures.
The HSCP’s decision to undertake a programme of Best Value Service Reviews since 2023 was recognised as providing a strong evidence base for the development of a new local learning disability strategy, helping to ensure that services remain sustainable and focused on improving people’s outcomes.
In their overall conclusion, inspectors expressed confidence in the future direction of learning disability services in East Ayrshire. The report states that the HSCP has established strong foundations that will enable it not only to maintain its positive performance, but to continue improving services for adults with a learning disability in the years ahead.
Councillor Clare Maitland, Cabinet Spokesperson for Health and Social Care, said: “We are delighted that the inspection has recognised the dedication, professionalism and compassion shown by our staff and partners across East Ayrshire. This report reflects our commitment to ensuring adults with a learning disability are listened to and supported to live fulfilling lives, with dignity, respect and choice. While we recognise there is always more we can achieve, we welcome the inspectors’ confidence in our services and our ability to build on these strong foundations in the future.”
Erik Sutherland, Acting Director of the Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “This positive report reflects the dedication of our workforce, carers, third sector partners and communities, and the strength of partnership working across East Ayrshire. Looking ahead, we must build on these foundations by reframing how services are designed and delivered to continue to support positive outcomes and opportunities for people with learning disabilities and their families while also meeting the financial challenges the report notes.”