Social Work And Health Committee - 20/08/2001

At a MEETING of the SOCIAL WORK COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 20th August 2001.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Betty WARD, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 18th June 2001 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I MINUTE OF MEETING OF REGISTRATION AND CASES SUB-COMMITTEE OF 14TH JUNE 2001

The minute of the above meeting was submitted and noted.

II MINUTE OF MEETING OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SOCIAL WORK) OF 18TH JUNE 2001

The minute of the above meeting was submitted and noted.

III MINUTE OF MEETING OF CHILD PROTECTION ISSUES SUB-COMMITTEE OF 21ST JUNE 2001

The minute of the above meeting was submitted and noted.

IV REVIEW OF RESIDENTIAL CHILD CARE SERVICES

(a)THE INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF RESIDENTIAL CHILD CARE SERVICES IN DUNDEE

There was submitted the Report by the Independent Consultant advising the Committee of the outcome of the work undertaken to review residential child care services in Dundee City, highlighting good practice and making recommendations regarding training and improvements in residential child care units in Dundee City.

The Independent Consultant gave a brief presentation on the review and was thanked by the Committee for her comprehensive report.

Thereafter the Committee agreed to note the contents of the report.

(b)REVIEW OF RESIDENTIAL CHILD CARE SERVICES IN DUNDEE BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WORK

There was submitted Report No 522-2001 by the Director of Social Work seeking approval of the Social Work Department's action plan reviewing residential child care services in Dundee.

The Committee agreed to approve the Social Work Department's action plan reviewing residential child care services, taking into consideration the views expressed by the Independent Consultant and the Director of Social Work.

V LISTENING TO YOUNG PEOPLE AND CHILDREN

There was submitted Report No 520-2001 by the Director of Social Work advising the Committee of the nature and purpose of the "Listening to Children Matrix" as an important additional safeguard for children and young people accommodated in local authority residential units.

The Committee agreed to note the contents of the report and remit to the Director of Social Work to monitor the operation of the "Listening Matrix" system and provide reports to Committee as required on issues arising and their outcomes.

VI EXTENDING THE SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE RESIDENTIAL RESPITE CARE UNIT FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

There was submitted Joint Report No 446-2001 by the Directors of Social Work and Personnel and Management Services seeking approval to extend the residential respite care service provided at Gillburn Road for children with disabilities.

The Committee agreed to note and approve the contents of this report and approved an extension to the residential respite care service provided at Gillburn Road.

VII REVIEW OF THE MANAGEMENT AND STAFFING AT THE ELMS

There was submitted Joint Report No 442-2001 by the Directors of Social Work and Personnel and Management Services advising the Committee of the outcome of a review of the management and staffing structure at The Elms and seeking approval to change the management structure and increase the staffing establishment in order to better meet operational requirements.

The Committee agreed to -

(i)approve the conclusions of a review of the current management and staffing structure at The Elms as detailed in the report;

(ii)approve the proposed staffing establishment as outlined in the report; and

(iii)authorise the Director of Social Work to commission a 24 hour security service from an external provider.

VIII THE DEVELOPMENT OF SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES IN DUNDEE CITY - THE PARTNERSHIP IN PRACTICE AGREEMENT

There was submitted Report No 521-2001 by the Director of Social Work advising the Committee of the Partnership in Practice Agreement developed by service users, family carers and professionals within Dundee to provide a detailed strategic plan for the future delivery of services for people with learning disabilities.

The Committee agreed to note and approve the Partnership in Practice Agreement and remitted to the Director of Social Work to inform the Community Care Division of the Scottish Executive of the content of the report.

IX THE RESPONSE TO THE CONSULTATION DOCUMENT - REDUCING THE RISK: IMPROVING THE RESPONSE TO SEX OFFENDING

There was submitted Report No 518-2001 by the Director of Social Work advising the Committee of the principal recommendations of the consultation document and the proposed response to the Scottish Executive.

The Committee noted and approved the terms of the response and remitted to the Director of Social Work to send it to the Scottish Executive.

X COMMISSIONING A RESTORATIVE JUSTICE SERVICE

There was submitted Report No. 524-2001 by the Director of Social Work seeking approval to commission a restorative justice service from SACRO in line with the Youth Justice Strategy Dundee 2000/2001.

The Committee agreed to note and approve the contents of the report and authorised the Director of Social Work to commission a restorative justice scheme from SACRO.

XI REVIEW OF JOINT COMMUNITY CARE PLAN 2001

There was submitted Report No 523-2001 by the Director of Social Work informing members of the 2001 review of the 1997/2000 Joint Community Care Plan.

The Committee agreed to -

(i) note and approve the content of the report;

(ii)remit to the Director of Social Work to inform the Community Care Division of the Scottish Executive of the content of the review; and

(iii)remit to the Director of Social Work to make the review of the Joint Community Care Plan publicly available.

XII DEVELOPMENT OF HOME CARE SERVICE - A NEIGHBOURHOOD APPROACH

There was submitted Joint Report No 519-2001 by the Directors of Social Work and Personnel and Management Services seeking authority for proposed developments in the City Council's Home Care Service.

The Committee agreed to -

(i)reaffirm the policy direction agreed through the Older People Working Group Report to develop community based alternatives to institutional forms of care;

(ii)confirm the need to develop a range of distinct and separate Home Care services to meet the varying needs of older people and other vulnerable adults across the city;

(iii)the implementation of alternative methods of service delivery which have been evaluated through a Best Value review of the Home Care Service; and

(iv)the establishment of service teams based on local neighbourhoods working from sheltered housing complexes across the city.

XIII SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT SERVICE PLAN

There was submitted Report No 525-2001 by the Director of Social Work advising the Committee of the Social Work Department's Service Plan Progress update for 2001.

The Committee approved the Progress Update as detailed in the report.

XIV REGULATORY FEES FOR RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES AND CHILDREN'S DAY CARE IN SCOTLAND

It was reported that the fees payable in Scotland under the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 and the Children's (Scotland) Act 1989 for the regulation of residential care homes and day care for children had increased from 1st August 2001.

The Committee agreed that the undernoted fees be charged with effect from 1st August 2001.

XV TENDERS

 

There was submitted Report No 449-2001 by the City Architectural Services Officer detailing tenders received in respect of the refurbishment of void area at East Port House.

 

The Committee approved acceptance of the lowest offer of 48,277.48 from Ward Building Services Limited, Dundee, together with allowances amounting to 8,691, giving a total amount of 56,968.48.

 

It was reported that the Convener had agreed to include the undernoted item as a late item under Standing Order 51(3) in view of the timescales involved.

 

XVI SCOTTISH LOCAL GOVERNMENT INFORMATION UNIT/NCH CONFERENCE - BEST VALUE IN SOCIAL WORK

It was reported that the above mentioned Conference would take place in Glasgow on 17th September 2001.

The Committee authorised the attendance of one member of the Majority Group and one member from either of the Minority Groups.

BETTY WARD, Convener.

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