Mental health support for children, carers and victims of domestic violence is set to be boosted when an extra £1.7m of Covid-19 recovery funding is handed out in East Renfrewshire.
Remaining money, from Scottish Government grants, will be used to help residents struggling due the long-term impact of the pandemic and the current cost of living crisis.
Cabinet members will be asked to back a number of proposals when they meet on Thursday after officials confirmed £1.7m is available for use in 2023/24.
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Some cash is expected to be set aside for support over winter, with decisions on its use delayed until October.
“This further funding will continue to provide much-needed support to our most vulnerable residents who have been adversely impacted by Covid-19,” a council report stated.
Almost £718,000 would be used on improving mental health in “priority groups” such as children and young people, particularly those with additional support needs, carers, young families and women experiencing domestic violence.
It would include early years’ language development and social communication support to “increase the number of children meeting developmental milestones” and help for young people affected by drug and alcohol use.
Mental health support for children, including sleep counselling and art/play therapy, would be funded in an effort “to reduce need for medication and alleviate service pressures”.
Just under £300,000 would be provided for “community recovery” which includes youth work to tackle increased “anti-social and risk-taking behaviours” and helping “to get community groups going again”.
Almost £200,000 is earmarked for financial advice services, such as the council’s money advice and rights team and Citizens Advice Bureau. There would be support for older people and foster families “who have been caring for an increase in children with complex needs due to the pandemic”.
The proposals also include setting aside over £110,000 for direct financial support in winter. It could include a winter payment for those in receipt of free school meals or clothing grants.
There would be £250,000 reserved for any required response to Covid-19, such as “continuity of staffing cover” in health and social care partnership (HSCP) roles.
Around £125,000 could be spent on council and HSCP “organisational recovery”, including clearing backlogs, reducing waiting lists and “building back” services which haven’t recovered from the pandemic
The council report added: “There are a range of pressures on local people and communities, particularly driven by the pandemic and cost-of living crisis. These are complex multi-faceted issues, which will require a co-ordinated, long-term partnership approach.
“The proposals outlined build on the experiences of strong, outcome-focused partnership delivery over the last three years. We will continue to work together to find ways to make a difference for the people of East Renfrewshire and support them through what will be a challenging period ahead.”
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