Pledge to do what’s needed for social service provision in Fife

Social work chiefs in Fife underlined their commitment to tackling the challenges ahead as the region’s consultation on the future of care homes came to an end.

The council is considering its options for the provision of residential, respite and day care services for older people, with six weeks of consultation drawing to a close on Tuesday.

Recommendations and decisions about the way forward are now expected, with Rona Laing, head of older people’s services, admitting all local authorities face the challenge of making the most significant financial cuts ever set against a rapidly growing older population.

People are living longer and social work services, which were built in a time of plenty, now need to modernise.

“Social work has much to offer and now is the time to harness the many years of experience, professionalism and partnership working capabilities within Fife,” she said.

“To do this, an ongoing conversation with service users, staff, carers, families, not-for-profit sector and private sector is being held to identify not what we can do to others, but what we can do together.

“This lateral thinking extends to every aspect of social work service, including day care, respite, home care, child care and links with other partners.

“Where previously there has been an eclectic mix of individual services which has grown organically, the vision is to have dynamic and intuitive services which integrate to the benefit of the individual.

“Whilst, as officers, we have been tasked to maximise every penny that will be received, ultimately the decision regarding the future of care home provision in Fife will be taken by councillors. With an unwavering focus on high quality care for the individual, their family and the community we reassure that our service user remains at the heart of what we do.”

Alasdair MacLeod, older people services manager, has met more than 270 residents and families over the last month and stressed that one of the main themes was the high regard in which council care staff are held.

Care Commission report

“The quality of care in Fife has never been in question, as the recent Care Commission’s Making The Grade report confirmed,” he said. “The Care Commission evaluates and grades private, local authority and not for profit homes across Scotland.

“The challenge being faced is extremely complex and raising the debate on how we continue to provide quality care for the rapidly growing number of our elderly now or in the future is not easy. But this does not mean we cannot shy away from it.

“Consultation of this kind has never taken place before and is vital if Fife is to truly make an impact on how we care for the most vulnerable.

“With the quality of care, as well as the provider of care being a main consideration, our meetings were a vital platform on which residents, families and staff could express what they think the vision for care in Fife now and in the future should be.”