Consultations Update

Below is an overview of the consultations Capability Scotland will be responding to over the next few months. We're always keen to hear the opinions and experiences of staff, people who use our services and the general public.

May 2013

Consultation on User Requirements for Future Population and Socio-Demographic Information
Deadline: 10^th June 2013
Every few years the Government carrier out a census. This is a survey of everyone in the country. The objective of the census is to make sure the Government have accurate information about the people of Scotland, including what proportion of the population are disabled. However, the Scottish Government believe that the current census is becoming increasingly challenging and expensive to conduct. It is therefore looking at alternative ways of gathering information about the population. The Government is consulting ensure that the Office of National Statistics has a clear understanding of user requirements and priorities. We'd like to hear your views on the following questions:

• Are there any kinds of disability which it can be difficult to find statistical information about?
• Do you think it is important to that the findings of the census show the differences between particular groups (by breaking down the findings into categories such as disability, gender race etc)?

Read the full Consultation on User Requirements for Future Population and Socio-Demographic Information.

Consultation on Independent Advocacy - A Guide for Commissioners
Deadline: 19^th July 2013
Advocacy has an important role to play in supporting people to express their opinions. This consultation is aimed at gathering views on changes to the Independent Advocacy Guide for Commissioners. The Guide provides information for people who commission advocacy services on behalf of organisations such as local authorities and the NHS. The Guidance will provide information for Commissioners on what independent advocacy is, why it is important and how to evaluate its success. We would like to hear your views on:

• What are the most important characteristics of an advocacy service?
• Do you have any examples of when an advocacy service has been either very good or very bad?

Read the full Consultation on Independent Advocacy - A Guide for Commissioners

Consultation on Regulations and Guidance to Accompany the Social Work (Self Directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013
Deadline: 10^th July 2013

The Scottish Government has drafted regulations and guidance to accompany the recently passed Self Directed Support (Scotland) Act. The Self Directed Support (Scotland) Act will give people who access care and support through their local authority more choice and control over how that support is delivered. This Guidance provides more detail and information for local authorities, support providers and other stakeholders about how the rights and duties contained in the act should work in practice. Areas covered include involving and communicating effectively with service users, the assessment process and designing care plans. We would like to hear your views on:

• What kind of communication support or advocacy would help you make and communicate decisions about your care options?
• Do you have any examples of when a local authority has communicated with you very well or failed to communicate with you effectively?

Read the full Consultation on Regulations and Guidance to Accompany the Social Work (Self Directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013

Consultation on See Hear: A Strategic Framework for Meeting the Needs of People with a Sensory Impairment in Scotland
This document looks at how issues such as lack of resources and self directed support will affect people with sensory impairments in Scotland. According to the Scottish Government this document has been developed in partnership with a wide range of interested parties and addresses current service provision as well as making suggestions for future developments. We would really like to hear the views of people with sensory impairments and their families and carers about:

• What changes would make the biggest difference to you ability to live independently?
• Are you concerned about the impact the economic climate will have on people with sensory impairments in Scotland?

Read the full Consultation on See Hear: A Strategic Framework for Meeting the Needs of People with a Sensory Impairment in Scotland