Information from the Social Welfare Board – Welcome to Örnsköldsvik Municipality

Below is a summary of the decisions taken at the meeting. The full documents can be found under Meeting Documents and Minutes

Open for purchase daily operations

The Social Welfare Board made a policy decision to enable the procurement of daily operations, an effort in accordance with the LSS (Law of Support and Service for Certain Persons with Disabilities). Daily activities aim to provide meaningful employment opportunities for working-age users, contribution to society, personal development and meaning in life. The voltage is adapted individually.

Currently, about 400 people are given daily activities under the sponsorship of the municipality. The need for venues is expected to increase in the coming years, as well as the need for a diverse offer depending on the circumstances and desires of the participants.

Through the Social Welfare Council's decision, it will be possible for third parties to provide day-to-day operations through procurement bids. The committee explains in its decision that the daily operations purchased must be based on the needs identified by the operations. The aim is for Örnsköldsvik Municipality to provide daily operations where the use of resources is efficient and where operations are carried out with good quality. Before the first procurement process can be considered, the committee must adopt a plan to manage and monitor private contractors.

At present, there are no plans to reduce activities under the auspices of the municipality. Through potential purchases, existing operations can be complemented and the scope expanded. Those who are involved today in daily operations continue their operations and feel safe.

A strategy for sustainable and healthy ageing

The Care Council has adopted a strategy for sustainable and healthy ageing. The “Strategy for Sustainable and Healthy Aging in Örnsköldsvik 2024-2030” should address the upcoming needs and challenges associated with aging issues.

Aging well means maintaining physical and intellectual function, good health, and meaningful content in life. The new strategy, based on the municipality's public health and social sustainability policy, aims to:

• Housing and local environments
• Health and lifestyle
• Self-determination, influence and participation
• Lifelong learning and providing efficiency and work environment

The strategy has been developed through the participation of High Councils and Access Councils and through citizen dialogues, among others.

New directions for food distribution

The Social Welfare Council has adopted new guidelines for food distribution within home care. The starting point is that those who need ready-made food should primarily order meals from shops and restaurants for home delivery themselves, or with the help of domestic help. People with a documented need for a special diet may be granted the delivery service of prepared food from the municipality's commercial kitchen. Food distribution may also be granted to those who, as a result of illness or disability, cannot achieve a reasonable standard of living by purchasing ready meals from stores or can otherwise meet their need for ready food. Exceptions to the standards can be made if there are special reasons for doing so.

Efforts already underway are not affected by the new guidelines.

Trust-based governance – part of change work

In an e-proposal submitted to the municipality, it is proposed to replace the current planning system within home care, which is currently handled by resource planners, with a trust-based management where staff themselves can plan users' efforts. The proposal believes that it will give employees increased influence over work efforts and better adaptation to the needs of the elderly, thus contributing to a better working environment and better health for employees and the elderly.

The Social Care Board considers the proposal to have been answered, partly through ongoing organizational change within the Department in which trust-based working methods are part, and partly through a pilot project where an established care contact with resource planners plans the interventions awarded. The purpose of the pilot project is to create security through individual adaptation of interventions and to ensure respect for what the user described as important in implementation planning.

Preparing for new nursing homes

The Social Welfare Board directs the Social Welfare Department to start planning and planning 54 care places in Kusthöjden, which could be completed in 2027-2028. The administration was also tasked with starting planning and design for the demolition of Arnäsgården in order to build a new care home on the same site with 40 spaces. The Council assigns the administration to prepare detailed documents during the fall of 2024

The administration will also begin preparations, starting in 2028, to demolish the existing Bjästagården nursing home and build a new 60-place nursing home on this site, which could be completed in 2032.

Access to the venues must be secured during the restructuring period by converting 10 short-term venues in Lejonbacken into permanent accommodation.