Fresh eyes navigating the Integration landscape
- Written by: — Development Officer, Integration Support
- Published: 15th March 2018
Now 3 months in post with the ALLIANCE, Vaughan Jones gives her take on the current status of Health & Social Care Integration in Scotland.
I started with the ALLIANCE feeling that I possessed a reasonable working knowledge and understanding of the Integration of Health and Social Care, but how wrong could I have been! My background is in Mental Health and for many years I worked within the NHS and the Third Sector. I spent the past five years serving as a local Councillor and, in 2015, I was appointed as a member of the newly formed Integrated Joint Board (IJB).
What I have learnt in the past three months with Integration Support is that my knowledge and understanding was very much from the perspective of the Statutory Sector.
One of the things I strongly feel is that, as Development Officers, we need to try and work out innovative ways in which we can enable and encourage the statutory sector to work in partnership with the Third Sector. I think the ALLIANCE has done a great job and continues to do so working to support the Sector. However, it may help if we were able to do more work with the Partnerships.
The Integration landscape is uneven, complex and fragmented. There are inconsistencies throughout the Integrated Authorities with regards to the engagement and inclusion of the Third and Independent Sectors but we have to find creative solutions.
Although Integration could still be regarded as being in its infancy, it should be acknowledged that some progress has been made. Pockets of successful integrated ways of working are occurring across the country and examples of good practice should continue be recognised and highlighted. However, the Third Sector Interfaces and organisations are frustrated by the slow pace of change with many feeling that the Partnerships do not understand the strengths and value that the Sector provide. Despite changes in legislation, there is a lack of parity within this new landscape and power continues to reside with the Statutory Sector.
It is important to understand that all is not a bed of roses for Partnership staff who are stretched to capacity, having to work with increasing demands and workloads. Staff numbers have been drastically reduced because savings are made by not replacing staff when they vacate posts. The focus for staff is trying to maintain and deliver services with reduced budgets. Therefore, thinking about partnership working is not high on their list of priorities. It is my concern that unless the Statutory Sector are able to change their way of working with the Sector, Integration may not succeed without more legislation or resources allocated for this.
The scale of the challenge cannot be underestimated, but my hope is for a future in which we no longer talk about Integration because the vision of Integration has become a reality, and the people who need and use services are able to live well and feel in control of their lives. By reaching a shared understanding and working together, we can achieve this.
End of page.
You may also like:
Billy McClean reflects on why SCIC26 offers a vital opportunity to learn together, share what works, and shape the future of integrated care
Continue readingTo mark the ALLIANCE's 20 year anniversary Paul Okroj reflects on the importance of supported self management.
Continue readingTo mark Scottish Learning Disability Week (7 - 13 September), Bruce Adamson reflects on this year's call to action.
Continue readingIn her latest TFN column, our Chief Officer Sara Redmond reflects on the current state of social care in Scotland.
Continue readingKicking off September for the ALLIANCE's 20 year anniversary, Grace reflects on the Self Management Programme
Continue readingSara Redmond, ALLIANCE Chief Officer, on the priorities for 2026's Programme for Government.
Continue readingSandra Auld reflects on the ALLIANCE's people focused impact, collaboration, lived experience, campaigns and lasting change in Scotland.
Continue readingMark shares his experience with gambling harms, and how this intersected with the launch of the ALLIANCE's ScotRGH programme in 2020.
Continue readingProfessor Anna Glasier celebrates 20 years of the ALLIANCE and it's vital role in shaping the Women's Health Plan for Scotland.
Continue readingSara Redmond, ALLIANCE Chief Officer, on the challenges faced by community-led health organisations in delivering prevention.
Continue readingAnnie shares her experience of youth politics, and how SAFE has helped her make connections and makes sense of the world of politics.
Continue readingChloe Craig reflects on how we have helped connect Scotland’s lived experience voice to conversations happening beyond our borders.
Continue readingDr Irene Oldfather reflects on two decades of growth, collaboration, and person centred impact across Scotland and beyond.
Continue readingDisabled people are some of those who suffer most in crises but are ignored in planning. Our 6-step model builds justice throughout.
Continue readingMaisie Peebles shares her experience working with Aberdeenshire Public Health Team on a ‘digital conversations’ project.
Continue readingSara Redmond, ALLIANCE Chief Officer, on why the Scottish Government and parties must seize the opportunity for change.
Continue readingDirector of the Links programme, Roseann, discusses why we need to focus on person centred care, and why the programme is central to this.
Continue readingReflections on the ALLIANCE Integration in Action: Inclusive Leadership event.
Continue readingWhat does The Scottish Report tell us about how we're supporting people with inflammatory mediated autoimmune conditions (IMIDs)?
Continue readingAvril McLean from Action from ME shares new resources designed to support professionals understand the impact of ME on people's lives.
Continue readingMandy Wright from Home Energy Scotland shares how partnerships positively impact their work.
Continue readingToo many young people are falling through the mental health support gap. How do we fix the "Missing Middle"?
Continue readingJoe McCready from Carers UK shares how important their annual survey is, and why it is invaluable for unpaid carers to have their say.
Continue readingColette reflects on the last 12 years of the Community Links Worker programme, as well as her own experience of being a CLW.
Continue readingWith the current World Cup, gambling presents an even higher risk. How can we prevent young people from getting tangled in this web?
Continue reading