Coming Home Action Plan 2026

6. Next Steps

Coming Home is jointly led by the Scottish Government and COSLA. Now the Short Life Working Group (SLWG) has completed its work, new arrangements are being put in place to provide oversight and support delivery of the Coming Home Action Plan.

Delivery model

Coming Home Delivery Group

The list of those identified as Coming Home Leads will be reviewed to ensure appropriate senior representation from all integration authorities. This group will consist of those leading on Coming Home at a strategic level locally. They will provide local leadership of Coming Home to drive forward actions. It is envisaged that they will be in senior roles within the integration authority, with ability to influence decisions about funding and allocation of resources, while still having an understanding of the issues. This group will meet four times a year and will be chaired by Scottish Government Professional Advisor, Dr Anne MacDonald.

Coming Home National Workstream Leads Group

Leads from each specific subgroup within the current SLWG will retain their role in co-ordinating action for their workstream in order to complete all identified actions. This may include some ongoing input from other members of the subgroup, where availability allows. Workstream leads will continue to meet monthly to identify and discuss cross-cutting issues and synergies and will engage with the wider Coming Home Delivery Group on issues of interest.

Lived Experience Hub

Facilitated by SCLD, the lived experience hub will provide a co-ordinated mechanism for people with learning disabilities and their families to engage with the action plan in a meaningful way, which safeguards their involvement and respects and protects their rights.

The hub will offer opportunities to be directly involved in the implementation of the action plan including development of specific pieces of national work (e.g. the complex support needs pathway) and ensure that lived experience is embedded in decision-making at both a local and national level.

The hub will involve and draw on existing lived experience networks, working in partnership with organisations, who are already supporting people with lived experience to maximise options to create family and peer support opportunities.

We also propose to maintain the Peer Support Network as the means by which information and good practice will be shared with professionals and those responsible for service delivery.

Core Governance

Bi-annual meetings will take place between COSLA’s Health and Social Care Spokesperson and the Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing on Coming Home. The purpose of these meetings would be to update on progress on the Coming Home action plan, discuss strategic risks and issues, and forward plans.

A Coming Home Strategic Oversight Group

This group will meet three to four times a year to support the delivery of the Coming Home Action Plan. Proposed membership includes the Scottish Government, COSLA, SOLACE, National Social Work Agency, Social Work Scotland, the Association of Local Authority Chief Housing Officers, Coming Home National Workstream Leads, the ILF, the SHRC, the Care Inspectorate, the MWC and relevant third sector bodies. Other bodies and individuals will be invited to meetings to update on work they are delivering on Coming Home. These meetings will be led by the Scottish Government and COSLA.

Links into wider oversight and advisory mechanisms, such as the Collaborative Response and Assurance Group and the National Care Service (NCS) Advisory Board will be considered once core mechanisms are agreed.

Strategic Aim 15: To put in place effective mechanisms to support the delivery and oversight of the Coming Home Action Plan.

Action 15.1 The Scottish Government and COSLA will lead the development of guidance for HSCPs on the role of Coming Home leads, including in relation to data assurance.

Indicative timescale - short term

Action 15.2 The Scottish Government and COSLA will work with partners to finalise the model for lived experience engagement.

Indicative timescale - short term

Action 15.3 The Scottish Government and COSLA will develop a remit and terms of reference and establish governance mechanisms.

Indicative timescale - short term