This project contributes towards the First Minister’s Mission to reduce delayed discharges. It will provide the intern with opportunities to contribute towards an important and impactful policy area, gain practical experience of how policy is developed and implemented in collaboration with stakeholders, and gain insight into the use of data and evidence in Scottish Government. The intern will be working within the Population Health unit of Health and Social Care Analysis, supported by the Learning Disabilities Policy Team. 
 
The project will be focused on understanding and comparing the economic costs of providing appropriate care and support for people with learning disabilities and complex needs moving from hospital into the community and the costs of delayed discharges and inappropriate out of area placements, including the financial impacts for individuals and families. This is likely to involve: reviewing existing data and evidence; engaging with stakeholders; quantitative data collection and analysis; and producing a final report of findings.