Chamber and committees

The delivery of social services is carried out by providers in the public, voluntary and independent sectors and we recognise the challenges faced by these employers in attracting people to become care workers. A key element in attracting people to work is making sure that people working in the sector receive a fair wage. In addition to the £250 million we provided to meet the commitment for the Living Wage of £8.25 per hour for adult care workers as of October 2016 and to support sustainability in the sector, we have announced a further £100 million for the continued delivery of the Living Wage, at £8.45 per hour from May 2017. Similarly our intent in establishing the Fair Work Convention to advise us is so that we can make progress across a range of aspects which affect the choices people make about where they want to work.

Our commitment to the care sector is also demonstrated by our investment in the work of the Scottish Social Services Council which is aimed at ensuring that social service workers are supported by their employers to develop their skills and knowledge so that they are part of a high quality, safe and valued workforce. The SSSC, which is a Scottish Government NDPB, has produced a number of different resources to support those looking to recruit staff and for those looking at a career in the care sector. The resources are also of use for others such as career advisers and Jobcentre Plus. One example of this is the SSSC's Ambassadors for Careers in Care scheme. The Ambassadors are people who are currently working in the sector at all levels and in different types service delivery who attend events, visit schools and careers fairs to promote careers in the sector.

The decision to implement an ambulatory care model at the Centre for Integrative Care (CIC) will not change the range and type of services delivered. All therapies currently provided are available Monday to Friday, usually between 0900 to 1700. Therefore, the day service will continue to be delivered as at present.

I wrote to John Brown CBE, Chairman of NHS GG&C, in December 2016 to ask the Board to monitor the implementation of the move to an ambulatory care model over the next six months. I therefore expect to receive a progress report in due course.

Increasing Carer’s Allowance to the same level as Job Seeker’s Allowance is one of the key commitments we have made in respect of our new social security powers. This commitment reflects the recognition we give to carers who make such an important contribution to our society.

Carer’s Allowance will increase annually in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

The Scottish Government worked closely with key stakeholders to develop the Partnership for Action on Drugs in Scotland (PADS), including its membership.

Members of the pharmacy profession are represented on the PADS Harm Reduction subgroup with individuals from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Forth Valley. In addition, expertise is augmented as required on the main PADS group and sub groups.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-07030 on 24 February 2017. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

There is a wide range of youth work opportunities available to young people in Scotland that provide similar outcomes for young people as the National Citizenship Service. For example:

• The Outward Bound Trust provides residential programmes for over 200 young people aged 16 and 17 each year through the Mark Scott Leadership for Life Award.

• Young people aged between 16 and 25 who are unemployed can take part in the 12 week Team programme run by the Princes Trust. The programme helps young people to gain new skills and improve their confidence through residential, community projects and work placements. In 2014-15, 2,500 young people took part in the Trust’s Team, XL, Fairbridge and Get Started programmes.

• Ocean Youth Trust Scotland works with over 550 young people each year who take part in voyages which provide the opportunity for self-development through the experience of sailing voyages.

There is also evidence that many young people in Scotland are already achieving similar outcomes which might be available through a NCS through involvement in youth work and volunteering activity. For example:

• The number of young people participating in, completing, progressing and gaining accreditation through Youth Awards in Scotland has increased dramatically in recent years. There has been significant growth in the number of young people looking to achieve awards such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, the John Muir Award, the Saltire Award and the Dynamic Youth Award – from less than 20,000 awards in 2009-10 to more than 60,000 in 2014-15.

• Recently published research by Volunteer Scotland shows strong growth in youth volunteering in Scotland with 52% of young people involved in volunteering, up from 45% in 2014. There are higher rates of youth participation in Scotland compared with the other UK nations.

The Scottish Government consulted on recommendations of the Scottish Law Commission for reform of substantive succession law between June and September 2015. The recommendations are based on the removal of the distinction between heritable and moveable property with rights in succession coming from the whole of the estate regardless of the types of property which it comprises.

The Scottish Government is considering the analysis of responses to that consultation together with the findings of a survey of public attitudes towards succession law of just over 1000 people representative of the Scottish population and a targeted Survey Monkey on disinheritance which received over 800 responses.

The analysis of, and the responses to, the consultation together with the Scottish Government’s response will be published when that consideration is concluded and will inform the way forward. The issue raised about static motor homes will be considered in the context of any further reforms to the law of succession.

The Scottish Government brought forward a number of changes to the rules in relation to winding up the estateof a deceased person in the Succession (Scotland) Act 2016 - http://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2016/7/contents/enacted.

The Scottish Government believes that youth work has a significant impact in improving the life chances of young people. The national youth work strategy for Scotland 2014-18 sets out our ambitions for improving outcomes for young people through youth work. It aims to ensure that we harness and build on our partnerships and what we know works in delivering vibrant and effective youth work practice.

The Deputy First Minister has requested that officials work with appropriate youth work partners to consider the option of undertaking a NCS pilot project in Scotland. Education Scotland officials and YouthLink Scotland held a meeting on 16 December 2016, attended by a range of national youth work organisations and a representative from the UK Cabinet Office, to consider the option of undertaking a NCS-style pilot project in Scotland.

Partners agreed that further discussion was needed before committing to a Scottish pilot.