Leading charities warn of legal action over city's social care cuts

Exclusive: Eighteen charities believe plan to defund services breaks the law

At work in the Redhall Community Garden. Pic courtesy of SAMH

The board which oversees social care in the Capital is facing threats of legal action over its proposed cuts to community mental health services across the city.

Lifeline services provided by charities in the Thrive network, which delivers prevention-focused support, face the axe under the Edinburgh

Integration Joint Board’s (EIJB) plans to stop almost all of its community mental health funding.

Following reports of the planned cuts in the Inquirer, the EIJB has faced a backlash over the proposed £2.2 million cut to block-funded mental health contracts. Thrive charities warn it will devastate early intervention services including those for people with severe mental illness.

The board, which is jointly run by NHS Lothian and the city council, says it is being forced to make the cuts in order to meet its legal obligations to deliver statutory services. It is facing a £31 million shortfall in the current financial year as funding as has failed to keep up with demand for its services.

A decision on the cuts was delayed by the EIJB from June to August following a public meeting and petition.

At the time, council officers told the Inquirer the delay could result in “additional cuts”, as there would be a shorter timeframe for making the savings.

Now, the board is facing increasing pressure over alleged legal breaches. Two separate emails signed by a total of five charities and an open letter by an advocacy collective of thirteen further organisations have all warned the board could be taken to court.