Social Work And Health Committee - 17/02/2003

At a MEETING of the SOCIAL WORK COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 17 February 2003.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor WARD, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 20th January 2003 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I COMMUNITY ALARM SERVICE

Councillor Borthwick declared an interest in this item and took no part in the discussion thereafter.

There was submitted Joint Report No 78-2003 by the Director of Social Work and the Director of Personnel and Management Services on the review of community alarm service staffing.

The Committee agreed:-

(1)that the service developments within the Community Alarm Service be approved; and

(2)that the amended outline budget for the service as detailed in the report be approved.

II FASTRACK CHILDREN'S HEARINGS FOR PERSISTENT YOUNG OFFENDERS - PILOT SCHEME

On a reference to Article II of minute of meting of 18th December 2000 there was submitted Report No 157-2003 by the Director of Social Work advising that Dundee had been selected to pilot a scheme of Fastrack Children's Hearings for Persistent Young Offenders and seeking approval to implement the scheme within the City.

The Committee agreed:-

(1)that the involvement of Dundee City Council in the Fastrack Children's Hearings Pilot Scheme be approved; and

(2)that the Director of Social Work be authorised to commission services as required by appropriate voluntary sector organisations.

III STAFF RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION

On a reference to Article II of minute of meeting of 19th August 2002 there was submitted Report No 154-2003 by the Director of Social Work informing of the work undertaken by Scott-Gardner, Consultants on behalf of the Director of Social Work and seeking approval to carry forward a number of recommendations that would progress the Department's ability to recruit and retain staff and improve services to the public.

The Committee agreed that the Director of Social Work be instructed to commission Scott-Gardner Consultants to undertake specific areas of work as detailed in the report.

IV NATIONAL AND LOCAL REVIEW OF CHILD PROTECTION

There was submitted Joint Report No 164-2003 by the Chief Executive and the Director of Social Work providing information on the publication of "It's Everyone's Job to Make Sure I'm Alright", the Scottish Executive report of the Child Protection Audit and Review. The audit was conducted on a national basis and had implications for the local authority in it's findings and recommendations.

The Committee agreed:-

(1)that the commissioning of a second audit of Child Protection Practice in Dundee City Council by the Director of Social Work be approved and that this work be undertaken by Dundee University following a similar audit carried out in 2001.

(2)that the commissioning of an independent audit of the current and future work of Dundee Child Protection Committee by Dundee City Council be approved; and

(3)that the Director of Social Work be instructed to take a lead role in developing and implementing a detailed action plan in response to findings and recommendations of the national and local audits and other relevant reports.

BETTY WARD, Convener