Seòmar agus comataidhean

We recognise the financial challenges facing colleges and understand the need for greater flexibility in college sector funding. The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) implemented a series of flexibilities for colleges in both academic years 2022-23, and 2023-24.

The Scottish Government and SFC are working with the sector to explore whether there are further flexibilities that could assist the sector in the short to medium term, while ensuring robust public accountability is safeguarded.

ScotRail has confirmed that, where an employee has been off on long-term sickness and has an outstanding disciplinary issue, ScotRail would seek the medical opinion of its external Occupational Health provider, who would provide an independent medical assessment of the employee and consider if they were able to attend a hearing.

ScotRail confirmed that support for staff members is available from its in-house Occupational Health team and Mental Health Volunteers.

Additional support is available to employees through the following:

• Employee confidential assistance helpline which gives 24-hour, 365-day access for counselling, information, and support on mental health matters.
• Specialist healthcare case management support for a range of conditions, such as depression and anxiety.

The Review of Purpose Built Student Accommodation has now concluded. The recommendations from the review are currently being considered by the Scottish Government. We will write to the group members on proposed next steps shortly.

We have developed core standards for mental health services with a focus on adult secondary services. These include transitions and outline an expectation that people will receive help as close as possible to home. The core standards also aim to reduce unnecessary delays in transitions and improve information sharing, including with carers and their families. The standards emphasise the importance of the continuity of care and the need for follow-up support after discharge. We will publish these standards shortly and we will work with our partners in the Standards Implementation Advisory Group to implement these.

The Scottish Government is committed to delivering the Coming Home Implementation Report recommendations to reduce inappropriate out-of-area placements and delayed discharges experienced by people with learning disabilities and complex care needs.

This includes working with the local bodies that have statutory responsibility for providing and commissioning services to ensure that the appropriate planning is in place for people who are receiving care and treatment in an out-of-area placement.

We recognise the financial challenges facing colleges. We have committed to providing greater flexibility for institutions in how they use the investment that is available and autonomy to set ambitious, stretch targets for delivery. We are working closely with Colleges Scotland and Scottish Funding Council in a Tripartite Alignment group to seek constructive approaches to financial flexibilities. The Purpose and Principles for Post-School Education, Research and Skills published on 28 June 2023, developed in collaboration with stakeholders, sets out our long-term ambition for the sector. This can be found here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/post-school-education-research-skills-purpose-principles/ .

We have developed core standards for mental health services with a focus on adult secondary services. These include transitions and outline an expectation that people will receive help as close as possible to home. The core standards also aim to reduce unnecessary delays in transitions and improve information sharing, including with carers and their families. The standards emphasise the importance of the continuity of care and the need for follow-up support after discharge. We will publish these standards in Autumn 2023 and we will work with our partners in the Standards Implementation Advisory Group to implement these.

The Scottish Government is committed to delivering the Coming Home Implementation Report recommendations to reduce inappropriate out-of-area placements and delayed discharges experienced by people with learning disabilities and complex care needs.

This includes working with the local bodies that have statutory responsibility for providing and commissioning services to ensure that the appropriate planning is in place for people who are receiving care and treatment in an out-of-area placement.

ScotRail is committed to supporting its staff and this is evidenced by its well-established Mental Health Support Policy, which covers all employees. ScotRail’s Line Managers have an important responsibility for the policy and have an extensive Mental Health Toolkit they can refer to for guidance.

Since 2021, the only investment has been through the Just Transition Fund and is as follows:

2022-23: £457,559

2023-24: £169,175

Transport Scotland remains in positive dialogue with Ambassador Living (the developer for Forthview Housing Development) to reach an agreement on the use of Ferrymuir Gait as an access. This is following a legal process in order to finalise matters, which Transport Scotland hope to conclude by November 2023.