Advisory Committee (social Work) - 04/09/2000
At a MEETING of the ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SOCIAL WORK) held at Dundee on Monday 4th September, 2000.
APPENDIX II
Present:-
Councillor Betty WARD
Councillor Elizabeth FORDYCE
Councillor Neil I C POWRIE
Mrs Rhona REILLY
Mrs Elizabeth McNICOLL
Apology:-
An apology for absence was intimated on behalf of Mr John Mitchell.
Councillor WARD, Convener, in the Chair.
I MINUTE
The minute of meeting of this Committee of 5th June, 2000 was submitted and approved as a correct record.
II REGISTRATION AND INSPECTION UNIT - UPDATE
(1) INSPECTIONS
(a) Residential Homes for Older People
Ms Melvin reported that all inspections were ongoing and on target. There were 12 private/voluntary residential homes and four local authority residential homes in Dundee. The Unit are monitoring the closure by Dundee City Council of two residential homes for older people. In this connection, Mrs McNicoll reported that she was aware of a resident who was being moved from Douglas House to Tullideph House and then on to a further home, which involved two traumatic moves for an elderly resident.
Ms Melvin advised Mrs McNicoll to make contact with the Service Manager, Gail Crawford to advise her of the situation.
(b) Adult Care
Ms Melvin reported that the Registration and Inspection Team were involved in giving out advice to various projects, including the closure of Liff and Strathmartine and the consequent resettlement programmes.
(c) Children's Section
Ms Melvin reported that officers had been involved in the "Elms", the Close Support Unit opening, and it was likely it would be operational in the next month.
It was also noted that concerns regarding the fabric of buildings were being raised with the Director of Social Work.
(2) Registration
Ms Melvin reported that the application from Grampian Nursing Home for joint registration with Tayside Health Board was still under consideration.
In connection with the Health Board registered premises, Ms Melvin advised that any concerns regarding such registration should be addressed to Ms Carol Kennedy, Tayside Health Board, telephone 01382-424112.
(3) Unit Relocation
Ms Melvin advised that the Unit was relocating to West Wing, Harefield House, 4 Clement Park, Dundee DD2 3JN with effect from 18th September, 2000.
(4) Annual Report
It was noted that the annual report on the work of the Inspection Unit would be considered by the Social Work Committee in October/November 2000.
III DRAFT NATIONAL CARE STANDARDS
The Committee noted receipt from the Scottish Executive of the first tranche of draft National Care Standards which set out three National Care Standards for care of older people, people with mental health problems and children and young people. The paper also invited comments on the issues raised by 30th September, 2000.
Ms Melvin reported that comments had been received from various stakeholders and she would be co-ordinating the response. The main issues raised concerned the staffing ratios and the fact that no minimum ratios had been laid down.
The group noted the position and agreed to forward any comments to Ms Melvin.
IV THE WAY FORWARD FOR CARE: A POLICY POSITION STATEMENT
There was submitted the above Policy Position Statement which presented the Scottish Executive Policy proposals for the regulation of care services and the workforce and invited comments thereon as soon as possible.
The Committee noted receipt of the position statement and instructed the Head of Registration and Inspection to advise of this Committee's concern at the document's recommendation that Committee such as this be abolished, and also further agreed that clarification be sought on details where carers views etc. could be sought from.
V REPRESENTATION ON COMMITTEE
The Committed noted that Gladys Owen, resident at Turriff House had intimated her resignation and the Committee agreed that the Clerk be instructed to write to Gail Crawford, Service Manager, seeking recommendations for a replacement.
VI DATE OF NEXT MEETING
It was agreed to meet again on Wednesday 22nd November, 2000 at 12.30 p.m.
BETTY WARD, Convener.