East Ross District Partnership discusses Welfare Reform

East Ross District Partnership recently met (Friday 6 September) in the Training Room at The County Community Hospital, Invergordon.

Included on the agenda was a presentation that outlined:

Attendees at the meeting heard that the changes are going to be far reaching and are like to affect all recipients of benefits. Further details can be found in the Essential Guide to Benefits, Money Advice, Energy Advice and other Entitlements 2013/14.

There was also discussion on Tele-health and Tele-care. The topic of work placements for secondary school students was also discussed which will be further explored at the next meeting to be held in December.

NHS Highland Board Member Okain McLennan who chaired the meeting said: “Once again the breadth of items on the Agenda reflects the huge agenda covered under children’s services and health and social care. It is very refreshing to hear how partners are starting to work together to improve the targeting and provision of services – for example Keep Well checks at work clubs in East Ross.”

He added: “The item on welfare reform was particularly pertinent because of the importance of services understanding the impact benefit changes are likely to have on clients. We have some work to do on ensuring there are work placements available for secondary students and I will be talking to partners to see how we can support this.” 

-Ends-