Social Work And Health Committee - 21/06/2004

At a MEETING of the SOCIAL WORK COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 21st June, 2004.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Bailie WRIGHT, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 17th May, 2004 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I REPORT OF THE INSPECTION OF SCOTTISH BORDERS COUNCIL SOCIAL WORK SERVICES FOR PEOPLEAFFECTED BY LEARNING DISABILITIES (APRIL 2004).

There was submitted Report No 503-2004 by the Director of Social Work advising of action proposed to be taken by the Council in response to the contents of the report on the inspection of Scottish Borders Council Social Work Services for People Affected by Learning Disabilities, Social Work Services Inspectorate April, 2004 (the Borders Report).

The Committee agreed:-

(i)to the course of action in response to the Borders Report outlined in the report;

(ii)that the Director of Social Work proceeded with the internal audit outlined in the report;

(iii)that the Director of Social Work commissioned the external audit outlined in the report; and

(iv)that the Director of Social Work report back to the Committee on the outcome.

II DUNDEE SOCIAL CARE TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT ACADEMY

There was submitted Joint Report No 371-2004 by the Director of Social Work and Assistant Chief Executive (Management) outlining a structured approach to be taken by Dundee City Council Social Work Department to develop a partnership project on a pilot basis to recruit and train people for social care jobs in Dundee. The project would also promote social care and career opportunities and encourage local people to take up high quality, sustainable employment.

The Committee agreed:-

(i)in principle to the lead being taken by the Social Work Department in the ongoing development of a partnership and pilot programme to recruit and train people for social care jobs in Dundee;

(ii)that the Director of Social Work and Assistant Chief Executive (Management) bring forward a report about the outcome of funding requested from the Scottish Executive to project manage the pilot;

(iii)that a partnership document framed within a community benefit agreement be signed by partnership agencies for the pilot; and

(iv)that the Director of Social Work and Assistant Chief Executive (Management) be instructed to bring forward a further report about the evaluation of the pilot at the end of August 2005.

III FOSTERING SERVICES

There was submitted Report No 463-2004 by the Director of Social Work on the progress of Fostering Services, including the business of the Fostering Panel.

The Committee agreed:-

(i)to note the current fostering services being provided in Dundee and to approve the contents of the report; and

(ii)to approve the contents of the amended Fostering Panel Constitution which was detailed in the report.

IV ADOPTION SERVICE

There was submitted Report No 464-2004 by the Director of Social Work on the progress of the Adoption Service including the business of the Adoption and Permanence Panel.

The Committee agreed:-

(i)to note the current adoption services being provided in Dundee and the need for further development of a more comprehensive Post-Adoption Support Service; and

(ii)to approve the content of the amended Adoption and Permanence Panel Constitution as detailed in the report.

V DAY OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES

Bailie Borthwick declared a non financial interest in this item by virtue of his employment with Age Concern.

There was submitted Report No 445-2004 by the Director of Social Work proposing a reconfiguration of day services for people with learning disabilities taking account of the anticipated demand over the next five years.

The Committee agreed:-

(i)to authorise the Director of Social Work to implement the proposed model for day services as outlined in the report; and

(ii)to remit to the Personnel Committee to recommend the staffing implications resulting from this report.

VI FIRE RISK ASSESSMENTS IN SOCIAL WORK PROPERTIES

There was submitted Report No 483-2004 by the Director of Social Work advising of the current position in relation to fire risk assessments in Social Work properties.

The Committee agreed:-

(i)to note the current position in relation to fire safety; and

(ii)to instruct the Director of Social Work to progress outstanding recommendations from fire risk assessments.

VII PAYMENT RATES FOR INDEPENDENT SECTOR CARE HOMES 2004/2005

Bailie Borthwick declared a non financial interest in this item by virtue of his employment with Age Concern.

There was submitted Report No 480-2004 by the Director of Social Work recommending payment rates for independent sector care homes.

The Committee agreed that payments made to independent sector care homes be increased in line with the detailed recommendations in the report.

VIII THE MENTAL HEALTH (CARE AND TREATMENT) (SCOTLAND) ACT 2003 - TAYSIDE JOINT LOCALIMPLEMENTATION PLAN

There was submitted Report No 425-2004 by the Director of Social Work advising the Committee of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003, Tayside Joint Local Implementation Plan and proposals to implement the plan locally.

The Committee agreed:-

(i)to note the contents of the report;

(ii)to note the contents of the Tayside Joint Local Implementation Plan; and

(iii)to note the proposals for implementing the plan.

IX ASSOCIATION OF DIRECTORS OF SOCIAL WORK (ADSW) - ANNUAL TRAVEL AWARD

There was submitted Agenda Note AN266-2004 advising of the achievement of Lisa Paton and Joanna Willatts in winning the ADSW annual travel award which would provide them with financial support to visit another country to learn more about international practice in their chosen study area.

The Committee noted achievements of both members of the Social Work Department and passed on their congratulations in their absence.

HELEN WRIGHT, Convener