COSLA President Councillor Alison Evison today (Monday) called on the Scottish Government to explain why other Local Government services were at the very last minute included within the consultation on adult social care saying that this goes way beyond the recommendations set out in the Feeley Review of adult social care.

Speaking this morning Councillor Evison said:

“The proposed scope of the National Care Service represents a significant expansion of the recommendations contained in the Independent Review of Adult Social Care (IRASC) and what had previously been outlined by the Scottish Government and all I am seeking on behalf of Local Government is an explanation as to why this is the case. If there is nothing to hide – it should be a fairly straightforward question to answer?

“Notably there was no discussion with Local Government about the increased scope of the proposals to include Children Services, Community Justice, alcohol and drug services, social work and elements of mental health services. This lack of engagement is why we are particularly concerned that there are no costings set out in the consultation relating to the development of the proposed National Care Service or how it would be funded, as well as limited evidence to support the expanded proposals or to explain the implications for the many people who use these essential services.

“Local Government will continue to work in a collaborative way with the Scottish Government to reform social care, and it is vital that we have a transparent conversation about the investment and support needed to do this.  However, we continue to believe that services should be designed and delivered as close as possible to the people who use them on a daily basis, and not centralised as is being proposed.”