Learning from changes to social care during COVID-19

This briefing highlights areas of good practice, as well as areas that could be revised in the event of future health emergencies.

Recovery from COVID-19 presents an opportunity to learn from the issues and challenges that have been illuminated in the health and social care sector, and to use that learning to positively influence policy and practice moving forward.

Since March 2020, our members have shared examples of good practice, as well as areas where the health and social care system was not equipped to respond to the pandemic. To build on this, the ALLIANCE undertook desk-based research to identify further information about changes made to social care during the pandemic, particularly around decision making in social care, including whether emergency legislation was used, and associated monitoring processes.

To inform this briefing, the ALLIANCE wrote to 32 local authorities, consisting of 31 HSCPs. We also met with Social Work Scotland and Chief Social Work Officers. This briefing reflects the information gathered and seeks to highlight successful good practice and learning that emerged from the pandemic, as well as areas that could be revised in the event of similar health emergencies occurring in future.

It set out the following recommendations:

• Local authorities/HSCPs should publish information outlining whether partial social care assessments undertaken during the emergency period have been reviewed (and adjusted accordingly), and whether social care packages, non-emergency respite care and residential care have returned to pre-pandemic levels.
• Information should be published online outlining the decision making framework for using the emergency powers. This should include whether impact assessments were undertaken to inform decision making; the monitoring process for use of the legislation; what mechanisms were in place to embed core human rights principles; and what could be improved moving forward.
• Good digital practice during the pandemic should be developed to influence future delivery and reform of public services. Digital inequalities must be addressed, and people should have equal access to digital and non-digital choices without compromising the quality of care they experience.
• A review of COVID-19 working practices in social care settings should be undertaken to ensure the areas which worked well continue to benefit people accessing support, and health and social care staff.
• A review of financial decision making should be undertaken, including how public finances were used for social care, the decision making processes for resource allocation, and the impact that decisions have had on people accessing support.
• Third sector funding should be flexible and provided for longer time periods to allow longer term planning, ensure that essential services continue to reach people, keep staff in secure employment – with good pay, terms, and conditions – and prevent the loss of valuable knowledge and expertise.

 You can read the full briefing via the link below.

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