A Consultation on the future use of resources devolved following the UK Government's decision to close the Independent Living Fund

A consultation asking for people's views and opinions in respect of the announcement of the closure of the Independent Living Fund from April 2015 and the announcement that money will be distributed to the devolved institutions. The document poses questions to gauge what and how the resource devolved to the Scottish Government should be used to support disabled people


How a new fund may look

How new fund might look

It is not possible for ILF to continue in Scotland.

We have some ideas about what we would like to do in the future.

We have called these ideas 'Models for delivery of a new fund'.

Views for new models

We would like to know your views about the new models that we have come up with.

Your views will help us to decide the best option for a new fund.

1 Local authorities

Local authorities responsible

Local authorities will be responsible for providing social services to people who are in their area.

Local authorities will give out the fund locally.

This option is what will be happening in England.

Advantages of local authorities model

Advantages of this model

  • People will get a service that is more equal.
  • Applying for the fund will be easier.
  • There are people who work for local authorities that have the right skills to help people get the funding they need.

Disadvantages of local authorities model

Disadvantages of this model

  • The amount given to people in each local authority area may be different.
  • People will receive a service which is more equal. But this means that people who already receive a support package might have their local authority service cut. This is so that everyone receives an equal service.
  • It might make it more difficult for people to make changes to their lives. It might be harder to work in a different local authority to the one they live in. It might be harder to move to a different local authority.

2 The Scottish Government

Scottish Government model

The Scottish Government will give out the fund to the whole of Scotland. People will apply to the Scottish Government or through their local authority.

Advantages of Scottish Government model

Advantages of this model

  • It may lead to a more equal service.
  • It might make it easier for people to make changes to their lives. It might be easier to work in a different local authority to the one they live in. It might be easier to move to a different local authority.

Disadvantages of Scottish Government model

Disadvantages of this model

  • It could cost a lot more money to organise.
  • The Government do not have a lot of experience in giving cash payments to people directly.
  • Applying for the fund may be more difficult.

3 Another organisation

Another organisation model

Another organisation could give out the fund to the whole of Scotland. People could apply to the organisation or through local authorities. This would help to deliver a more person centred service.

Advantages of this model

Advantages of another organisation model

  • It may lead to a more equal service.
  • It should be easier for a person to make changes to their life. It will allow people to look for work in different local authority areas.

Disadvantages of this model

Disadvantages of another organisation model

  • It could cost a lot more money to organise.
  • Applying for the fund may be more difficult.

4 Creating a new partnership

Create new partnership model

This option would let us create a new partnership with voluntary organisations. This may put disabled people and carers in charge of the way the fund is spent.

Team up to provide fund

This would help to deliver a service where disabled people and carers work with the Government to develop a new way to give out the fund.

New system applies through local authority

This new system would take applications from people all over Scotland or people will apply through their local authority.

Advantages of this model

Advantages of partnership model

  • It may lead to a more equal service.
  • It might make it easier for people to make changes to their lives. It might be easier to work in a different local authority to the one they live in. It might be easier to move to a different local authority.
  • It would put disabled people and organisations that support them in charge of managing the fund.

Disadvantages of this model

Disadvantages of partnership model

  • Applying for the fund may be more difficult

Which model is best for Scotland

Question 6

When the Scottish Government are given funding, what model do you think will be the best for Scotland?

Contact

Email: Chris Raftery

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