Mental Health Partnership Delivery Group: collaborative commitments plan

Strengthening Community-Based Provisions

The HMICS report noted the overreliance on police response to mental health and distress incidents, and the increasing demand on police time particularly associated with time spent by police in ED settings often because no alternative is available. Similar concerns have been raised by other stakeholders and partners, including the Scottish Parliament’s Criminal Justice Committee which stated that it would be helpful to understand options for alternative places of safety for people who are in distress and at risk. Alternative places of safety were also a key topic during the workshops held to support development of the Framework for Collaboration.

The PDG recognise that formal places of safety are often not the most appropriate location for an individual in distress or crisis and may in fact exacerbate the distress being felt. However, it is also acknowledged that safe spaces should not replace clinical mental health interventions, but rather help people to connect with the most appropriate local services. It is also recognised that there are variations of safe spaces across Scotland and that implementation of an alternative safe space is not without complexities, requiring consideration of estates, geographical variation in demand, safe staffing as well as taking into account the needs of the individual.

The Scottish Government published the Safe Spaces Scoping Report on 31 October 2024: The ‘Right Care, Right Place, Right Time’ which explores the feasibility of implementing safe spaces across Scotland. The report outlines where it may be necessary to create different and tiered provision to meet the needs of different populations groups to ensure they remain safe. It also highlights the substantial number of protocols and service features that must be considered to successfully deliver the services, ranging from scrutiny and standards, care planning, risk and impact assessments, access to medication, escalation procedures and safe staffing. As has been demonstrated by the models currently operating in Scotland, these work best when prioritised and designed locally to meet local needs. When considering establishing new services, it will be important to consider the role of Community Planning Partnerships as well as collaborating with local communities, service users and partners in their design.

15. Following the publication of the Safe Space report, we will consider in discussion with PDG and other stakeholders next steps.

What will this do?

• Explore the feasibility of working with stakeholders to develop a ‘Safe Spaces Toolkit’ bringing together the learning from existing providers to assist with establishing new services by, for example, sharing tools to help design spaces and services, protocols, and core service functions.


• Consider whether it is possible to take forward a cost benefit analysis.

Who will lead?

• Scottish Government.

When will we do it by?

• Exploration and consideration of next steps to be undertaken in 2025.