A charity says a lack of clarity over funding and confusion over guidance is placing the reopening of day services under threat.

Camphill, which offers social, cultural and work opportunities to people with learning disabilities and other support needs, says it is concerned the “crisis management” approach adopted by local authorities during the pandemic is being considered for longer term.

There is “mixed messaging” on guidance, with some of its communities being given the go-ahead to reopen while others cannot.

Some families have been told they cannot access the day services anymore without explanation.

Emma Walker, Director of Camphill Scotland, said: “In Aberdeen one person who has been increasingly struggling since day services were closed was told don’t expect to get day services back within 12 to 18 months – if ever. But there was no suggestion of why that would be.

“People have been using these services for 20 years and have been told, no you can’t anymore.

“I have seen over the past seven or eight weeks an increasing sense of from frustration to almost desperation in some areas because there is a constant sense of not knowing what to do for the best and where does the onus lie – where does the ultimate responsibility lie?”

There are 11 Camphill communities across Scotland supporting more than 600 people, with most people using the charity’s day services coming to work placements, often outdoors in gardens or farms.

Katrina Hadland, whose son Josh goes to the Tiphereth Camphill community in Edinburgh, said the distress caused by six months without having support of the day service has been “immense”.

“Josh loves Tiphereth because it has given him meaningful work and skills that he can be proud of as well as a relevant peer group,” she said.  

“Josh has been anxious and repetitive and can’t wait to start back at work, albeit part-time, next week.”

Ms Walker has written to politicians over the issue and met with Scottish Government officials to discuss the concerns this week.

She says Camphill members are ready to reopen services but are being prevented from doing so, with other day service providers saying they have similar concerns.

“Depending on where you are in the country, some communities are finding they are being told by two out of the three bodies that it is fine to reopen,” she said.

“So the local authority and the Care Inspectorate might be saying, yes your health and safety is covered, your health and safety risk assessments are great, but then Public Health Scotland will say no sorry you can’t open.

“It goes backwards and forwards and it is becoming more unclear rather than clearer as it moves forward.”

Funding is also “particularly difficult”, Ms Walker said, with examples including transport being cut by local authorities, even though many day service users rely on help with travel to get to the communities.

Another issue is that some people have been told they will be swapped to a different day service provider, which not only removes choice from families but leaves a question of where fees which should be backdated to before the pandemic will be paid to.

“It is becoming quite sketchy as to whether the original provider is going to receive it or if the new provider is going to receive it,” Ms Walker said.

“There is growing concern there has been a [cost-cutting] agenda for a while and this situation we find ourselves in is allowing for that agenda to be pursued.”

Tom Marx, Trustee at Tigh a’Chomainn Camphill community in Aberdeen, said: “We recognise that not everyone will be able to return to work in the short term due to reduced capacity.

“But we also recognise that for a number of people access to meaningful work in a therapeutic environment is critical to their mental health and physical wellbeing.

“Having access to meaningful work will enable individuals to maintain and build their sense of purpose, feel safe and be in control.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said guidance had been published at the end of August to support the safe reopening of social care building-based day services for adults.

“Given the need for social distancing, it is inevitable that capacity for these services has reduced and not everyone can go back to enjoying the services they had before," he said. 

“Our guidance recognises this and states that supported people and their unpaid carers who are most in need of support at this time should be prioritised and fully involved in these conversations and decision-making.”

He said the guidance also made provision for those who are unable to access support immediately to be directed to alternative services.

“We have worked with our third sector partners to ensure that more carers can access equipment and subscriptions to give them a break at home through the Short Breaks Fund and the Young Scot package for young carers. We fund Shared Care Scotland to provide public information on short breaks which contains ideas and resources for activities at home.

“We continue to work closely with our partners in local authorities, Public Health Scotland and the Care Inspectorate to help with national implementation of this guidance.”

 

Supporters – If you can help support our reporting for Scotland's health and social care community, please head to our donations page.

Bulletin – Sign up for all the latest news and events.