Social Work And Health Committee - 15/03/2004

At a MEETING of the SOCIAL WORK COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 15th March, 2004.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor MORROW, Depute Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 16th February, 2004 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I BAILIE WRIGHT

Prior to commencement of the meeting Councillor Morrow advised the Committee that Bailie Wright had undergone an operation in hospital and that she was currently convalescing and it was agreed that the best wishes of the Committee be passed on to her for a quick recovery.

II SOCIAL WORK INSPECTORATE ANNUAL REPORT 2003

There was submitted Report No 217-2004 by the Director of Social Work informing of the content of the report prepared by the Chief Inspector of Social Work and the action which would be taken in light of the Chief Inspector's recommendations.

The Committee noted the content of the report.

III PROVISION OF FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES IN THE SOUTH WEST OF DUNDEE BY CHARLESTON CHILD ANDFAMILY CENTRE, LOCHEE CHILD AND FAMILY CENTRE AND WOODLEA CHILDREN'S CENTRE

There was submitted Report No 219-2004 by the Director of Social Work proposing the relocation of the Family Support Team, which was based at Woodlea Children's Centre, to an alternative base at Charleston Primary School. It also proposed the reconfiguration into two larger teams of the existing three Family Support Teams with responsibility for meeting the need for family support services in the south west of the city. The proposal was being put forward in response to the significant demographic changes, which had taken place in the Beechwood, Charleston and Menzieshill areas in recent years, and with a view to improving access to family support services for all children in need and their families living in the south west of the city.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) that the proposal to relocate the Woodlea Family Support Team to Charleston Primary School and to create two larger Family Support Teams to be based at Lochee Child and Family Centre and Charleston Primary School be approved; and

(ii) that the Director of Social Work and Assistant Chief Executive (Management) be instructed to continue to consult employees at Woodlea and Charleston Child and Family Centre and their Trade Unions regarding relocation and redeployment within the Social Work Department.

IV SOCIAL WORK COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

There was submitted Report No 218-2004 by the Director of Social Work on the operation and effectiveness of the statutory Social Work Department Complaints Procedure during the calendar year 2003.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) that the content of the report be approved;

(ii) that the Director of Social Work inform the Scottish Executive Social Work Services Inspectorate of the content of the report; and

(iii) that the Director of Social Work make the contents of this report publicly available.

V THE MENTAL HEALTH (CARE AND TREATMENT) (SCOTLAND) ACT 2003

There was submitted Report No 200-2004 by the Director of Social Work informing members of the new responsibilities placed on the local authority by the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act, 2003 and the proposed implementation plan.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) that the content of the report be noted;

(ii) that the proposal that guidance to staff, and training for mental health officers be progressed by the Senior Officer (Mental Health) Strategy and Performance Service as detailed in the report be approved; and

(iii) that a joint project board convened with partner authorities should consider the implications arising from the new Mental Health Act, and that it prepare a joint implementation plan in accordance with Scottish Executive requirements, and that the tasks identified by the project board be implemented locally.

VI ASSOCIATION OF DIRECTORS OF SOCIAL WORK ANNUAL CONFERENCE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN126-2004 reporting that the Annual Conference of the Association of Directors of Social Work would take place at Crieff Hydro from Wednesday, 12th May - Friday, 14th May, 2004. The estimated cost of attendance would be 475 per delegate, excluding travel and subsistence allowances.

The Committee agreed that elected member representation at the Conference be one member of the Administration, one member of the SNP and one member of the Conservative Party.

JOE MORROW, Depute Convener.