Island Communities Impact Assessment (ICIA) for the Integration Joint Board: Roles, Responsibilities and Membership Guidance (Update)

Island Communities Impact Assessment (ICIA) for the Integration Joint Board: Roles, Responsibilities and Membership Guidance (Update)

Please ensure this template is completed in conjunction with the Island Communities Impact Assessment (ICIA) Guidance on the Scot Gov Website

1.1 Step One – Develop a clear understanding of your objectives:

What are the objectives of the policy, strategy or service?

Do you need to consult?

How are islands identified for the purpose of the policy, strategy or service?

What are the intended impacts/outcomes and how do these potentially differ in the islands?

Is the policy, strategy or service new?

• This update reflects the changes introduced by The Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Integration Joint Boards) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2025, which extends voting rights to unpaid carer, service user and third sector representatives on Integration Joint Boards (IJBs). These members, collectively referred to as lived experience representatives, bring valuable insight into the realities of accessing and providing health and social care services within local communities. In line with the commitments set out in the Order's Policy Note, the Integration Joint Board: Roles, Responsibilities and Membership Statutory Guidance has been reviewed and updated to address issues raised through stakeholder engagement. The revised guidance has been developed collaboratively with a short-life working group comprising public sector partners, support organisations and lived experience representatives, helping to support the effective implementation of the legislative change.
• The key change is that lived experience representatives will have voting rights from 1 September 2026. While these representatives have always been members of IJBs, they were previously non-voting members. The updated guidance reflects this change and provides additional clarity on governance arrangements and good practice.
• The purpose of the revised guidance is to reflect these new voting arrangements and to clarify the roles, responsibilities and expectations of all IJB members. It also strengthens best practice guidance on recruitment and appointment processes, codes of conduct, induction, training and ongoing support arrangements, with particular consideration given to the additional responsibilities associated with voting membership. The updated guidance aims to support IJBs in implementing the new voting arrangements, promote effective participation in strategic decision-making, and ensure that lived experience representatives are appropriately supported to contribute fully and effectively to the work of their IJB.
• Consultation has been integral to the guidance review process. This has included the guidance being updated in collaboration with a Short Life Working Group (SLWG) comprising representatives from the Scottish Government, Health and Social Care Partnerships, the IJB Chairs and Vice Chairs Network, Cosla, the third sector, the Standards Commission for Scotland, and IJB members, including individuals with lived experience. The Group also included representation from an island and remote community. The Group has played a key role in informing and shaping revisions to the guidance, ensuring that the updates reflect a broad range of perspectives and practical experience.
• Wider stakeholder engagement was undertaken through a survey involving participants from all IJB areas across Scotland, including island and remote communities. This included IJB Chairs and Vice Chairs, IJB Chief Officers, NHS Chief Executives, Local Authority Chief Executives, and Cosla representatives. The survey sought views on the proposed revisions to the guidance to ensure that it is informed by a broad range of local perspectives, operational experience, and sector expertise.
• For the purpose of this policy, islands are defined as the IJBs that have primary responsibility for Scotland’s island areas. There are three IJBs with this responsibility: Orkney Islands IJB, Shetland Islands IJB, and Western Isles IJB. Other islands may fall within the geographical areas of different IJBs (for example, islands within Argyll and Bute), but these IJBs cover the distinct, main island local authority areas within the context of this policy^[1].
• The consultation process has not identified any potential barriers or wider impacts for island and remote communities that differ significantly from those experienced by other communities. The guidance does not alter the existing functions, responsibilities or role of IJBs. The only substantive change is the extension of voting rights to unpaid carer, service user and third sector representatives who are already members of IJBs. As such, the policy represents a change to existing governance arrangements rather than the introduction of new structures or responsibilities. The guidance continues to support local flexibility in how arrangements are implemented, enabling IJBs to take account of local circumstances and community needs, including those of island and remote communities.

1.2 Step Two – Gather your data and identify your stakeholders:

What data is available about the current situation in the islands?

Do you need to consult?

How does any existing data differ between islands?

Are there any existing design features or mitigations in place?

• Representation from island and remote communities has been embedded within the guidance review process, including through the membership of the SLWG and in consultation and stakeholder engagement undertaken across all IJB areas in Scotland, including those serving island and rural communities. Available evidence indicates existing governance arrangements in operation across all IJBs, including those covering island populations. While IJBs are required to comply with the legislative framework, individual Boards have flexibility in how they implement governance arrangements to reflect local circumstances, priorities and ways of working. This local autonomy, which is supported by the Order and reflected in the guidance, enables IJBs to adopt approaches that are appropriate to their communities, including those in island and remote areas.
• The proposed revisions are intended to strengthen and clarify governance expectations and responsibilities, rather than introduce substantive changes to the role or functions of IJBs. The only significant change is the extension of voting rights to unpaid carer, service user and third sector representatives who are already members of IJBs. No evidence has been identified to suggest that the IJB governance issues addressed by the guidance differ significantly between island and remote areas. While island and remote communities may experience distinct demographic, geographic and workforce challenges, the proposed changes relate solely to the governance arrangements of existing boards. Consultation feedback received from island representatives has not identified any island-specific impacts arising from the revisions. On this basis, it has been determined that a separate Island Communities Impact Assessment (ICIA) is not required. The revised guidance is not expected to have an effect on island communities that is significantly different from its effect on other communities across Scotland.

1.3 Step Three – Consultation:

Who do you need to consult with?

How will you carry out your consultation and in what timescales?

What questions will you ask when considering how to address island realities?

What information has already been gathered through consultations and what concerns have been raised previously by island communities?

Is your consultation robust and meaningful and sufficient to comply with the Section 7 duty?

• Consultation has been undertaken throughout the review and development of the revised guidance and has involved a broad range of stakeholders. This has included representation from an island and remote community through membership of the SLWG, which worked collaboratively to review and inform updates to the guidance. The SLWG also included representatives from the Scottish Government, Health and Social Care Partnerships, the IJB Chairs and Vice Chairs Network, Cosla , the third sector, the Standards Commission for Scotland, and IJB members, including those with lived experience. Wider stakeholder consultation was undertaken through a survey involving participants from all IJB areas across Scotland, including island and remote communities. This included IJB Chairs and Vice Chairs, IJB Chief Officers, NHS Chief Executives, Local Authority Chief Executives, and Cosla representatives.
• Information gathered through the engagement and consultation process indicated broad support for the proposed revisions and for the strengthening and clarification of governance arrangements. No concerns specific to island communities were identified during engagement. Feedback received, including from those with experience of island and remote communities, did not identify any impacts arising from the revisions that would differ significantly from those experienced elsewhere in Scotland. The consultation process did not identify any evidence to suggest that the extension of voting rights to lived experience representatives would have a significantly different effect in island communities compared with other areas of Scotland.
• The consultation and engagement undertaken is considered proportionate to the nature of the policy and guidance review, and sufficiently robust to meet the requirements of Section 7 of the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018. Given the direct involvement of island and remote community representatives and the absence of evidence indicating significantly different effects on island communities, it has been concluded that a full Island Communities Impact Assessment is not required.

1.4 Step Four – Assessment:

Does your assessment identify any unique impacts on island communities?

Does your assessment identify any potential barriers or wider impacts?

How will you address these? You must now determine whether in your opinion your policy, strategy or service is likely to have an effect on an island community which is significantly different from its effect on other communities (including other island communities). If your answer is no to the above question, a full ICIA will not be required and you can proceed to Step Six. If the answer is yes, an ICIA must be prepared and you should proceed to Step Five. To form your opinion, the following questions should be considered.

Does the evidence show different circumstances or different expectations or needs, or different experiences or outcomes (such as different levels of satisfaction, or different rates of participation)?

Are these different effects likely?

Are these effects significantly different?

Could the effect amount to a disadvantage for an island community compared to the mainland or between island groups?

• The assessment has not identified any unique impacts on island and rural communities. The proposed revisions are limited to governance arrangements within existing IJBs, principally the extension of voting rights to unpaid carer, service user and third sector representatives who are already members of IJBs. The revisions do not alter service delivery, access to services, funding allocations, eligibility for support, or the statutory functions of IJBs.
• No specific barriers, wider impacts or unintended consequences for island communities have been identified. The changes apply across all IJBs in Scotland and are intended to strengthen and clarify governance, roles, responsibilities and decision-making arrangements. Feedback from stakeholders, including representation from island and remote communities, did not identify any concerns that the revised voting arrangements would affect island communities differently from other areas.
• The 2025 Order and accompanying guidance continue to support local autonomy, allowing IJBs to implement governance arrangements in a way that reflects local circumstances and community needs. This flexibility enables local approaches to be maintained, including within island and remote communities.
• Based on the available evidence and stakeholder engagement, the Scottish Government considers that the proposed changes are not likely to have an effect on island and remote communities that is significantly different from their effect on other communities.
• In reaching this conclusion, the following factors were considered. The evidence does not demonstrate any different circumstances, needs, experiences or outcomes for island communities arising from the proposed changes to voting rights. No likely differential impacts on island communities have been identified. The revised voting arrangements will apply consistently across all IJBs, while continuing to allow for local flexibility in implementation. There is no evidence that the changes would disadvantage island communities in comparison with mainland communities or create disparities between island groups.
• Accordingly, it has been concluded that a full Island Communities Impact Assessment (ICIA) is not required, as the proposed changes are not expected to have a significantly different effect on island communities than on other communities in Scotland.

1.5 Step Five – Preparing your ICIA:

In Step Five, you should describe the likely significantly different effect of the policy, strategy or service.

Assess the extent to which you consider that the policy, strategy or service can be developed or delivered in such a manner as to improve or mitigate, for island communities, the outcomes resulting from it.

Consider alternative delivery mechanisms and whether further consultation is required.

Describe how these alternative delivery mechanisms will improve or mitigate outcomes for island communities.

Identify resources required to improve or mitigate outcomes for island communities.

An ICIA by Scottish Ministers in regard to legislation must:

Describe the likely significantly different effect of the legislation,

Assess the extent to which the Scottish Ministers consider that the legislation can be developed in such a manner as to improve or mitigate, for island communities, the outcomes resulting from the legislation, and

Set out the financial implications of steps taken under this subsection to mitigate, for island communities, the outcomes resulting from the legislation.

• N/A

1.6 Step Six – Making adjustments to your work:

Should delivery mechanisms/mitigations vary in different communities?

Do you need to consult with island communities in respect of mechanisms or mitigations?

Have island circumstances been factored into the evaluation process?

Have any island-specific indicators/targets been identified that require monitoring?

How will outcomes be measured on the islands?

How has the policy, strategy or service affected island communities?

How will lessons learned in this ICIA inform future policy making and service delivery?

• The proposed changes to guidance relates to the extension of voting rights to unpaid carer, service user and third sector representatives who are already members of existing IJBs. The 2025 Order and revised guidance applies consistently across Scotland but continues to allow IJBs flexibility to implement governance arrangements in a way that reflects local circumstances and priorities. As no significantly different effects on island and rural communities have been identified, there is no requirement for different delivery mechanisms or specific mitigations for island areas.
• No additional consultation is considered is deemed necessary, as island and remote communities have been represented throughout the guidance review process, including through membership of the SLWG and wider stakeholder consultation where no island-specific impacts requiring mitigation were identified.
• Island and remote circumstances have been considered through the inclusion of representatives from island and remote communities in the review process and through engagement with stakeholders across all IJB areas in Scotland. Feedback received did not identify any impacts specific to island communities arising from the proposed changes.
• No island-specific indicators or targets have been identified for monitoring. As the changes relate to governance arrangements and voting rights rather than service delivery or outcomes, existing governance and performance monitoring arrangements will continue to apply out with the extension of voting rights to lived experience representatives. As no differential impacts on island communities are anticipated, separate monitoring arrangements for island areas are not considered necessary.
• The assessment has found no evidence that the proposed changes will affect island communities differently from other communities in Scotland. The only substantive change is the extension of voting rights to existing lived experience representatives. The revised guidance does not alter service provision, access to services or funding arrangements. While the guidance has been updated to reflect the new voting rights, the remaining revisions are intended to strengthen and clarify existing expectations and best practice relating to governance, recruitment, induction, training, support arrangements, and member roles and responsibilities.
• Future policy development will continue to consider potential impacts on island communities at an early stage and will draw on stakeholder engagement and available evidence to identify and address any differential impacts where these arise.

1.7 Step Seven – Publishing your ICIA:

Have you presented your ICIA in an Easy Read format?

Does it need to be presented in Gaelic or any other language?

Where will you publish your ICIA and will relevant stakeholders be able to easily access it?

Who will sign-off your final ICIA and why?

• The Publication of explanation will be published inline with existing Scottish Government accessibility and communication policies.
• No. There is no identified requirement for the assessment to be translated into Gaelic or any other language.
• The rationale for the decision not to undertake a full Island Communities Impact Assessment will be published in accordance with the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 and associated guidance, and in line with Scottish Government accessibility, transparency and communication policies to ensure it is publicly available and easily accessible.
• The assessment and accompanying decision will be signed off by the Deputy Director responsible for the policy area prior to publication, in accordance with the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018.

CIA approved by: John Paul Liddle

Position: Deputy Director

Signature:

Date completed: 7 August 2026