Independent Sector Lead appointed for Partners for Integration project - Welcome Arlene!

Scottish Care, representative body for the independent social care sector, has appointed an Independent Sector Lead to drive its Partners for Integration project in East Ayrshire.

Arlene Bunton has a wealth of experience in dementia studies and research, and has spent over ten years working with adults with learning disabilities and those living with alcohol-related brain damage. She has also worked with vulnerable children and adults with mental health conditions.

Arlene has an Honours degree in Health and Social Care and a Postgraduate Diploma in Dementia Studies, and is about to begin a Doctorate in Applied Social Research (Dementia and Ageing).

“I am excited to be part of the Partners for Integration project as the new Independent Sector Lead for East Ayrshire. Partners for Integration is a national network of development staff working to ensure the effective representation of independent sector agencies within Health and Social Care Partnerships.

The focus of my role is to be a clear point of contact for the Independent sector in East Ayrshire, positively engaging with the sector in providing support to develop and improve their vital services – with the overall aim of integrating health and social care in Scotland.

By working collaboratively, exploring new and innovative approaches to service delivery and embedding a culture of improvement and implementations of good practice, Independent Sector Leads create the conditions for transformational change in how services are commissioned and delivered.

Relationship building is essential in this role, as Independent Sector Leads work with many partners, at both local and strategic levels. I very much encourage frequent communications with all interested partners to work together to meet the health and social care needs of the people of East Ayrshire.”

The Partners for Integration project is funded by the Locality Health and Care budget and is hosted by Scottish Care.

Find out more about the project over on the Scottish Care website.