FOI Request - Clause 16 of the Coronavirus Act 2020

Request 101002825953

I would like to request information regarding the use of Clause 16 of the Coronavirus Act 2020 by your local authority which reduced local authority duties to assess the needs of those using social care. (to be found on Page 19-20 of this link:

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2020/7/pdfs/ukpga_20200007_en.pdf )

1.  How many times were reduced duties set out in clause 16 used by your local authority since it was introduced?

2.  What was your local authority's agreed criteria for invoking clause 16?

3.  How many impact assessments were completed before the decision was taken to invoke clause 16 (please enclose copies or direct me to copies of all).

Response 16-07-21

1.  How many times were reduced duties set out in clause 16 used by your local authority since it was introduced?

The council do not hold information on how many times reduced duties set out in clause 16 were used. This information is therefore exempt under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - Information Not Held. The department have offered the below explanation:

It was a general approach - a relaxing of the focus on completing a Young Carer Statement, and more on ensuring the Young Carer was identified, supported and had the opportunity to talk about what was going on for them.  Through conversation, workers drafted a Young Carer Statement that summarised the Young Carer's circumstances and helped establish what was needed, but it wasn't a 'formal' Young Carer Statement because it wasn't signed off as that by the Young Carer and their parent/guardian (where appropriate).
7 Young Carer Statements were completed between 01 Mar-31 Aug 20.  In that same period, there were 11 referrals for Young Carers, 9 of whom wanted to engage with the service.  

2.  What was your local authority's agreed criteria for invoking clause 16?
The ScotGov guidance was adopted  - in that there wasn't a need for 'formal' documentation to enable access to support.  

3.  How many impact assessments were completed before the decision was taken to invoke clause 16 (please enc copies or direct me to copies of all).
Impact assessments were not conducted - of not doing Young Carer Statement/Adult Carer Support Plan.  Where Covid-19 impacted on the completion of the usual process – this was recorded.