Social Work And Health Committee - 19/02/2001

At a MEETING of the SOCIAL WORK COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 19th February, 2001.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Betty WARD, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 15th January, 2001 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I MINUTE OF MEETING OF CHILD PROTECTION ISSUES SUB-COMMITTEE OF 20TH DECEMBER, 2000

The minute of the above meeting was submitted and approved

II PUBLICITY FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE IN NEED OF PERMANENT SUBSTITUTE

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work advising members of the various methods of recruiting families for children who are looked after away from home and for whom the local authority has particular responsibilities as a corporate parent, and seeking approval for advertising in respect of specific children.

The Committee agreed to defer consideration of this report to a Special Meeting of the Social Work Committee on 26th February 2001.

III ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ARREST REFERRAL SCHEME

There was submitted Report No. 124-2001 by the Director of Social Work advising the Committee of a proposal to develop an Arrest Referral Scheme for Dundee in partnership with National Children's Home.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) approve the above development proposal for establishment of an Arrest Referral Scheme within Dundee City; and

(ii) instruct the Director of Social Work to report back to the Social Work Committee following the review of the scheme and the decision on long term funding.

VI DEVELOPMENT OF INTEGRATED EARLY YEARS PROVISION AT CHARLESTON PRIMARY SCHOOL

There was submitted Joint Report No. 64-2001 by the Directors of Education and Social Work detailing additional plans for early years provision at Charleston Primary School.

The Committee agreed, insofar as its interests were concerned, to note the contents of the report and approved an extension to the existing contract resulting in estimated additional expenditure of approximately 50,000.

V THE EDUCATION OF PUPILS WHO ARE "LOOKED AFTER" BY THE LOCAL AUTHORITY

There was submitted Joint Report No. 112-2001 by the Directors of Education and Social Work detailing the steps being taken to promote the educational interests of children who are "looked after" by the Local Authority.

The Committee agreed, insofar as its interests were concerned, to approve the policy document on the education of pupils who are "looked after" by the Local Authority, and remitted to the Directors of Education and Social Work together to monitor progress on the educational performance of "looked after" children.

BETTY WARD, Convener.