Social Work And Health Committee - 23/08/2004

At a MEETING of the SOCIAL WORK COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 23rd August, 2004.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Bailie WRIGHT, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 21st June, 2004 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I CHAIR'S REMARKS

Prior to commencement of business the Chair advised the Committee on the following:-

(a) ASSOCIATION OF DIRECTORS OF SOCIAL WORK - ANNUAL TRAVEL AWARD

On a reference to article IX of minute of meeting of 21st June 2004 wherein it was noted that two employees from the Criminal Justice Service had been presented with the annual travel award made by the Association of the Directors of Social Work, the Committee were advised that both these employees Lisa Paton and Joanna Willatts were in attendance and the Committee congratulated them on their achievement accordingly.

(b) SCOTLAND'S HEALTH AT WORK (BRONZE AWARD)

It was reported that the Social Work Department had been successful in achieving the bronze category of award made by Scotland's Health at Work (SHAW) and that work would continue towards achieving the silver category of award.

The Committee congratulated the Director on the achievement and the work undertaken by the department in relation to SHAW.

II REVIEW OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE STRATEGIC PLAN

There was submitted Report No 540-2004 by the Director of Social Work outlining the results of the annual review of the strategic plan and the Scottish Executive's requirements for a further one year's plan for 2005/6.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) that the results of the review be approved; and

(ii) that the requirements for a further one year's proposals be noted.

III COMMUNITY REPARATION ORDERS

There was submitted Report No 588-2004 by the Director of Social Work advising of the provisions contained in the Anti-Social Behaviour (Scotland) Act 2004 relating to Community Reparation Orders seeking approval for Dundee to become a pilot scheme for the introduction of these orders.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) that the provisions contained in the Anti-Social Behaviour (Scotland) Act 2004 for the new court disposal of Community Reparation Order be noted;

(ii) that Dundee City Council be a pilot site for the introduction of this disposal;

(iii) that officers be requested to consult with the Community Safety Partnership and other relevant organisations on the proposed arrangements for the establishment of a Community Reparation Scheme; and

(iv) that, officers be requested to collate a further report on the outcome of this consultation including detailed proposals for how such a scheme would operate.

IV INTENSIVE SUPPORT AND MONITORING SERVICES

There was submitted Report No 580-2004 by the Director of Social Work advising that Dundee City Council had been invited by the Scottish Executive to pilot new arrangements for the intensive support and monitoring of high risk children and young people, who may become persistently involved in offending behaviour, and seeking approval to implement the scheme within the City.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) that the involvement of Dundee City Council in the Intensive Support and Monitoring pilot scheme be approved; and

(ii) that the Director of Social Work be authorised to commission services as required from appropriate voluntary organisations, subject to Scottish Executive funding.

V SOCIAL WORK CUSTOMER CARE STANDARDS

There was submitted Report No 578-2004 by the Director of Social Work about the proposed new Customer Care Standards which had been compiled with the aim of improving customer service throughout the Social Work Department. The standards in draft form had benefited from a public consultation process through the Council's website and focus groups. Citizens, customers and staff of the department had been encouraged and enabled to comment on the standards prior to finalisation.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) that the adoption of the standards detailed in the report be approved;

(ii) that the Director of Social Work be instructed to make arrangements for the implementation of these standards;

(iii) that the Director of Social Work be instructed to publicise widely the contents of the standards and to make arrangements for the monitoring of their implementation;

(iv) that the Director of Social Work be instructed to carry out an annual review of the customer care standards and report back to the Social Work Committee, and

(v) that, the Director of Social Work be instructed to work towards achieving the National Charter Mark award.

VI GRANTS TO VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS 2004/2005

Bailie Borthwick declared a non-financial interest in this item by virtue of his position as an officer with Age Concern which would mean that on occasion he would work with the following organisations which were also listed within the report, those being Bharatiya Ashram and Grey Lodge.

Councillor Dawson declared a non-financial interest in this item by virtue of his appointment by the Council to the Grey Lodge.

Bailie Farquhar declared a non-financial interest in this item by virtue of his membership of the Bharatiya Ashram.

There was submitted Report No 571-2004 by the Director of Social Work on the recommended grant awards to voluntary organisations for 2004/2005.

Councillor Morrow paid tribute to the work undertaken by the voluntary organisations listed within the report and the personal contribution made by the individual volunteers.

The Committee agreed that payment of grants to the voluntary organisations listed in the report and at the levels outlined be approved.

VII PAYMENTS FOR SERVICES PROVIDED BY VOLUNTARY BODIES 2004/2005

Bailie Borthwick declared a non-financial interest in this item by virtue of his position as an officer with Age Concern and that this would on occasions also bring him into contact with organisations listed in the report, those being Age Concern Celebrating Age Network, Alzheimer Scotland Whitfield Day Service, Ardler Information Point, Dundee Independent Advocacy Service, Dundee Society for Blind and Partially Sighted People and Mid-Lin Day Care.

Councillor Webster declared a non-financial interest in this item by virtue of his position as a member and office bearer of the Church of Scotland.

Councillor Fordyce declared a non-financial interest in this item by virtue of her position as board director for Age Concern, Dundee.

Bailie Corrigan declared a non-financial interest in this item by virtue of his membership on the Council for Tayside Association for the Deaf.

Councillor Barrie declared a non-financial interest in this item by virtue of his position as a board member with Dundee Society for Blind and Partially Sighted People.

Councillor Don declared a non-financial interest in this item by virtue of his position as an elder of the Church of Scotland which could bring him into contact with the Axis Project of the Church of Scotland.

There was submitted Report No 581-2004 by the Director of Social Work on the recommended level of payments for services provided by voluntary organisations for 2004/2005.

The Committee agreed that payments to the voluntary organisations listed in the report at the levels outlined be approved subject to the Director of Social Work remaining satisfied that the service provided met the service specification.

VIII DIRECT PAYMENTS AND FREE PERSONAL CARE - REVISION OF RATES

There was submitted Agenda Note AN321-2004 on recommended rates to be used to calculate the value of a Direct Payment and to calculate the contribution an individual should make towards the cost of their service and social care support rates to be used to calculate the value of a personal care provision where the service user had made their own arrangements to procure this provision.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) that a rate of 7.46 per hour be applied for practical support;

(ii) that where service was procured through a provider holding a block contract with Dundee City Council that a rate equivalent to the contract rate paid to that provider by Dundee City Council be applied for social care support;

(iii) that where service was provided for any other provider or by the employment of a Personal Assistant that a rate of 10.00 per hour be applied for Social Care Support; and

(iv) that, these rates be effective from 1st August 2004.

IX CONFERENCE - CHILDREN IN SCOTLAND - 20TH AUGUST 2004

There was submitted Agenda Note AN324-2004 advising that a conference on services on policies for young children in the European Union had been hosted by Children in Scotland in the Marriot Hotel, Glasgow on 20th August, 2004 and that in view of the timescales, the Director of Social Work in consultation with the Convener and the spokespersons of the other groups had agreed that elected member attendance be on the basis of one member of the Administration, one member of the SNP Group and one member of the Conservative Group.

The Committee noted the action taken.

Helen WRIGHT, Convener