Social Work And Health Committee - 21/10/2002

At a MEETING of the SOCIAL WORK COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 21st October 2002.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor WARD, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 16th September 2002 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I JOINT FUTURE JOINT MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS

There was submitted Joint Report No 760-2002 by the Chief Executive and the Director of Social Work on proposals for the establishment of a joint management structure to support Joint Future arrangements.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) that the joint management arrangements as outlined in the report be approved; and

(ii) that Council representation on the High Level Group be the Convener of the Social Work Committee, the Convener of the Housing Committee, one member of the Major Opposition Group and one member of the Minority Group.

II FAMILY PLACEMENT ACE CARERS SCHEME

On a reference to Article VII of minute of meeting of 22nd April 2002, the Committee agreed that this item be considered in terms of Standing Order No 38.

There was submitted Report No 763-2002 by the Director of Social Work seeking approval to increase the professional fostering fee payable to Dundee's ACE (Alternative Community Experience for Young People) foster carers.

The Committee agreed that the increase to the ACE Carers Fee from the equivalent of SCP25, i.e. 17,732 per annum to equivalent of SCP35, i.e. 23,930 per annum be approved and that the increase be effective from 1st November 2002.

III HANDBOOK ON EFFECTIVE SUPPORT TO STAFF AND GOOD PRACTICE IN MANAGEMENT

There was submitted Report No 460-2002 by the Director of Social Work on the development and implementation of a Handbook on Effective Support to Staff and Good Practice in Management which would bring together the department's policies and practice guidance on supporting and developing staff from effective induction through to continuous professional development.

The Committee noted the contents of the Handbook and gave its support to its promotion and implementation within the Social Work Department.

IV MEMBERSHIP OF THE SCOTTISH THROUGHCARE AND AFTERCARE FORUM

There was submitted agenda note AN266-2002 by the Director of Social Work seeking approval of membership of the Scottish Throughcare and Aftercare Forum which served to improve support for young people leaving care. It was reported that the Forum disseminated information, promoted good practice, created supportive networks and influenced national development as well as local service delivery. It was also reported that the annual membership fee amounting to 750 would be funded from the Social Work Revenue Budget.

The Committee agreed to membership of the Scottish Throughcare and Aftercare Forum at an annual membership payment, which was currently at 750 for a City authority.

V DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - INTEREST FROM JAPAN ON POLICY ANDPROCEDURAL MATTERS

The Convener had agreed that this item be considered as a matter of urgency in terms of Standing Order No 52(3)(b).

There was submitted agenda note AN272-2002 by the Director of Social Work seeking approval to provide necessary assistance and materials to Professor Tetsuo Tsuzaki of Kyoto University, Japan, on policy and procedural matters concerning Dundee City Council Social Work Department.

It was reported that following the visit to Dundee by Professor Tetsuo Tsuzaki of Kyoto University as part of his research into childcare systems and services in Britain that he had made a request to the Director of Social Work that he be allowed to translate Dundee City Council's Family Placement Strategy into Japanese for use in national childcare developments and that the Professor had indicated his hope that his visit would mark the start of ongoing links between Japan and Dundee City Council as he believed that Japanese policy and practice could be informed by local good practice.

The Committee agreed that approval be given to the Director of Social Work to supply the necessary assistance and materials and thereby contribute to international childcare developments and the fostering of positive professional links.

BETTY WARD, Convener.