Seòmar agus comataidhean

I propose that the committee writes to the agencies involved and asks about the consultation process and how they intend to publicise consultations in the future. Do members agree?

Members indicated agreement.

Thank you. I propose that the committee make no recommendations in relation to the negative instrument. Does any member disagree?

Members: No.

Thank you, everyone, for your contributions so far.

We will move to questions about the issues and themes that you explored in your workstreams.

The next item is the first of two oral evidence sessions as part of our post-legislative scrutiny of the Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013. This morning, we will hear from representatives from five workstreams that have contributed to phase 1 of the committee’s scrutiny. The workstream meetings took place in December and January and provided the opportunity for a wide range of key stakeholders to discuss in depth their experiences of self-directed support. That included how SDS is currently working, how that differs from the policy intentions of the act and areas for improvement.

The committee tasked the workstreams to come up with recommendations for where we should focus our scrutiny during phase 2 of the inquiry. We will hear a summary of those views at today’s meeting.

Before we start, I thank everyone who has taken part in the five workstreams. We are hearing from only a few representatives today, but we appreciate the time and commitment from everyone who has been involved in helping to inform our scrutiny.

For our first evidence session, I welcome to the meeting Becs Barker and Michael Collier, who are representing the social care providers workstream; Peter McDonnell, who joins us remotely and is representing the social work staff workstream; and Ryan Murray, who is representing the social care staff workstream. Thank you all for joining us today.

I understand that you will each give a short opening statement to set out your respective workstream’s recommendations. Following that, we will have a wider discussion and questions from members. Please note that you do not need to turn on your microphones when you speak; broadcasting staff will do that automatically for you. We will start with Ryan Murray and work our way along the panel.

Thank you. Carol Mochan is next.

Thank you and thank you all for your contributions this morning. We will move to questions from members. I will start with Paul Sweeney.

I call Emma Harper.

I call Carol Mochan.

Good morning, and welcome to the fifth meeting in 2024 of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee. I have received no apologies.

The first item is a decision on whether to take items 5 and 6 in private and a decision on whether a briefing session by Scottish Government officials on the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill on 27 February will be taken in private. Do members agree to take those items in private?

Members indicated agreement.

I will bring in Peter McDonnell, who joins us remotely.