Chamber and committees

To better inform our understanding of residential rehabilitation, we commissioned Public Health Scotland to carry out an evaluation of the Residential Rehabilitation programme, covering the first two years of the National Mission, which will support the development of consistent, evidence-based policy.

By collecting and reviewing robust data, we will be able to increase the evidence base that will help us to best direct financial resource. This improved understanding means that more people will be able to access the treatment type that is right for them at the right time.

The Residential Rehabilitation Development Working Group defines residential rehab as facilities offering programmes which aim to support individuals to attain an alcohol or drug-free lifestyle and to be re-integrated into society, provide intensive psychosocial support and a structured programme of daily activities, and which residents are required to attend over a fixed period of time.

The Scottish Government recognises that diversity of treatment options is important to empower individuals to have more choice and to meet the needs of individuals seeking different types of recovery, and this includes taking a person-centred approach to the duration of treatment.

We commissioned The Gate Worldwide to develop and launch a National Directory of Residential Rehab providers. This directory will be announced soon and will include details on standard programme lengths for each provider listed.

The Scottish Government survey of residential rehab providers, published in November 2021, found that the duration of treatment programmes varied substantially across providers, with an average core treatment duration of 23 weeks. Some providers suggested that this was flexible based on individual need. Typically, private providers reported shorter (5–12 weeks) programmes, while third-sector providers reported longer (14–156 weeks) programmes. Further breakdown of treatment duration by facility is available in the published report.

This report was referenced in Public Health Scotland’s interim evaluation of the Residential Rehabilitation Programme, published 13 February 2024.

Microsoft tools remain available through the web-based versions in Glow to all learners and teachers. These are available on any internet-connected device and at any time.

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all serving Armed Forces personnel and veterans living in Scotland, as well as their families, are able to access the best possible care and support, enjoy their rights on an equal basis to others, and are able to participate fully and lead their own lives.

The Equality Act 2010 requires service providers to make reasonable adjustments in circumstances where a disabled person is placed at a substantial disadvantage in comparison with non-disabled people. That requirement covers changing the way things are done such as making changes to the built environment and providing auxiliary aids and services. The Scottish Government expects all relevant organisations to comply with the requirements of the 2010 Act and with the relevant codes of practice and other guidance published by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

The Scottish Government welcomes the report by Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans, Enhancing Accessibility: Venues and Visual Impairment and would encourage venues across Scotland to consider implementing the recommendations within the report, and using the checklist and top tips provided, to create a more accessible and inclusive experience for all.

The Scottish Government provide funding to veterans organisations primarily through the Scottish Veterans Fund and the Veterans Scotland Grant usually totalling c.£590,000 per year. We also continue to provide funding to the Unforgotten Forces Consortium totalling £950,000 from 2023-2026.

This global change implemented by Microsoft change only pertains to Microsoft Office desktop apps. Schools, learners and teachers can continue to access web-versions of Microsoft Office products through Glow. Ultimately, local authorities are responsible for the provision of education, including any digital provision they consider appropriate for their schools and particularly where it is required for specific courses or individual needs.

Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre (ERCC) is an independent charitable organisation and its governance and operational management are matters for the ERCC Board to consider and act upon. The Scottish Government expects all recipients of public funding to comply with relevant laws.

The A1 licence in Glow remains in place and will continue to provide access to the web-based version of Microsoft Office until our contract end-date in September 2027. The Scottish Government has commissioned Education Scotland to undertake a review of needs for any national digital provision in the future.

Scottish Government was made aware of the proposed changes when Microsoft announced them in August 2023. Local authorities were made aware by the Scottish Government in August 2023.

The Scottish Government has not held any discussions with the General Teaching Council for Scotland regarding the establishment of a national standardised system for disciplinary or investigative procedures regarding teachers.

The General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS), as the Independent Professional and Regulatory Body for teachers in Scotland, has a published Fitness to Teach process at https://www.gtcs.org.uk/fitness-to-teach which sets out how the GTCS will investigate serious concerns about teachers.