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We are committed to working collaboratively to design the National Care Service with people, stakeholders and partners. We published a document on the National Care Service and the co-design process on 21 June 2022. This can be accessed at: https://www.gov.scot/publications/national-care-service-co-design-national-care-service/documents/

To find out more about what co-design is, the phases of work involved and the activities and tools that can be used to support we have been running introductory sessions for the public. Further information on upcoming sessions can be accessed at: https://www.gov.scot/policies/social-care/national-care-service/

The Scottish Government wants Local Government to continue in its role as a direct provider of social care services. This includes continuing to hold and invest in assets and employ staff directly. Ultimately decision on the role will be taken at a local level by individual authorities. It is therefore not possible to provide the detail requested on assets.

More generally an ability to transfer assets is necessary to support the transfer of accountability. It is vital that Ministers will have the ability to step in, or appoint, an operator of last resort as required. That may at some point require the ability for the transfer of Local Government assets and staff. If necessary, assets would be transferred on the most appropriate valuation method. It would therefore be remiss not to include powers to do so on the face of the Bill.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-12831 on 15 December 2022. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

To support the collaborative co-design we launched registration to Lived Experience Experts Panel and Stakeholder Register on 22 September 2022. Further information and registration details can be accessed at: https://www.gov.scot/publications/design-the-national-care-service/

As of 7 December 2022, we had 421 applicants registered with the Lived Experience Experts Panel.

As of 7 December 2022, we had 210 organisations sign up for the Stakeholder Register.

The Panel and the Register are both being actively monitored for demographics, geographic spread and protected characteristics to ensure we encourage a true representation of the population. Targeted engagement will be undertaken to address any gaps and ensure robust information gathering and development Promotion of the opportunities to register will continue throughout the life time of the programme.

Paragraph 48 of the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill Policy Memorandum refers to this. This can be accessed at: https://www.parliament.scot/bills-and-laws/bills/national-care-service-scotland-bill/introduced

Once the structure and governance of care boards and their localities have been decided, decisions about the employment of local government staff can be made. Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) / Cabinet Office Statement of Practice (COSOP) principles will apply if the delivery of services is transferred from local authorities to care boards. If that is the case, the TUPE process would be followed.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-12831 on 15 December 2022. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

The method for appointments to care boards will be considered as part of the collaborative design work with people who access and deliver health and care support, stakeholders and partners.

We are in the process of commissioning expert pensions advice in relation the National Care Service proposal. We have received bids and hope to award the contract shortly. Once the contract is in place full details will be made publicly available.

The answer to this question is set out in Paragraph 48 of the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill Policy Memorandum. This can be accessed at: https://www.parliament.scot/bills-and-laws/bills/national-care-service-scotland-bill/introduced

Provisions related to Anne's Law are included within the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill.