To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the analysis of single outcome agreements (SOAs) by Community Care Providers Scotland, how it will address the finding that SOAs have little to say about the role of the voluntary sector in social care.

To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the analysis of single outcome agreements (SOAs) by Community Care Providers Scotland, how it will address the finding that SOAs have little to say about the importance of the social care workforce.

To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the analysis of single outcome agreements (SOAs) by Community Care Providers Scotland, how it will address the finding that SOAs have little to say about the role of technology in independent living.

To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the analysis of single outcome agreements (SOAs) by Community Care Providers Scotland, how it will address the finding that SOAs have little to say about the importance of personalisation in service design and delivery of community care.

To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the analysis of single outcome agreements (SOAs) by Community Care Providers Scotland, how it will address the finding that SOAs do not reflect many of the aspirations of Changing Lives.

To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the analysis of single outcome agreements (SOAs) by Community Care Providers Scotland, how it will address the finding that SOAs have little to say about the means by which people will be assisted to live independently.

Single outcome agreements do not replace all of the underlying service planning and performance management arrangements in place in local authority areas. They provide an outcome framework and focus for service planning, resource planning and performance management. They are high-level documents and should focus strategically on priority areas for improvement and end outcomes in terms of quality of life, opportunity and the context in which people live and on a limited and manageable number of priorities, not necessarily the detail of how these will be achieved. Not everything could or should be included in the SOA.

Organisations that have good local knowledge about people and their service needs, and collect valuable information that will help support the SOA process – and through the Community Planning arrangements, should have the opportunity to influence. The Scottish Government expects the third sector to be important Community Planning partners as strategic partners as well as being involved in the design and delivery of services.