Social Work And Health Committee - 21/02/2005

At a MEETING of the SOCIAL WORK COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 21st February, 2005.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Bailie WRIGHT, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 17th January, 2005 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I MINUTE OF CASES SUB-COMMITTEE OF 26TH JANUARY, 2005

The minute of meeting of the Cases Sub-Committee of 26th January, 2005 was submitted and noted for information and record purposes, a copy of which is attached as an Appendix to this minute.

II REVIEW OF 2001 FOSTER CARE STRATEGY

There was submitted Report No 107-2005 by the Director of Social Work providing details of the review of Dundee's Foster Care Service undertaken by the Independent Consultant Dr Marjut Kosonen. The report also provided proposals for the future development of the service.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) that the dedicated work undertaken by Dundee Foster Carers in the complex and challenging task of looking after children in need be acknowledged:

(ii) that the achievements made by the Dundee Family Placement Service highlighted in the report and as commended by the Consultant be noted:

(iii) that the contents of "Dundee City Council, A Review of Foster Care Service, October 2004 Report" which had been prepared by Dr Marjut Kosonen, Independent Social Work Consultant be approved: and

(iv) that the Director of Social Work be instructed to bring forward a further report to Committee outlining an action plan to progress the recommendations of the Review noting those which could be achieved within existing budget provision and those recommendations which would be progressed when future funding was available.

III GETTING OUR PRIORITIES RIGHT FOR CHILDREN AFFECTED BY SUBSTANCE MISUSE IN DUNDEE - A PROTOCOL FOR ALLAGENCIES

There was submitted Report No 108-2005 by the Director of Social Work advising of the development of a multi-agency Protocol for working with children or families affected by substance misuse in Dundee. The Report also sought approval for the adoption of the Protocol "Getting Our Priorities Right for Children Affected by Substance Misuse in Dundee" - A Protocol for all Agencies as part of a framework of shared protocols, policies and procedures agreed by agencies in the City who worked with families in which parents had substance misuse problems.

The Committee agreed:-

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

(ii) that the content of the joint Protocol "Getting Our Priorities Right for Children Affected by Substance Misuse in Dundee" which would be used by all agencies working with children and families affected by substance misuse in Dundee be approved.

IV PROTOCOL ON PROTECTING VULNERABLE ADULTS IN TAYSIDE

Bailie Borthwick declared a non-financial interest in this item of business by virtue of his employment with Age Concern, Scotland which would bring him into contact with vulnerable adults.

There was submitted Report No 109-2005 by the Director of Social Work providing members of details of a draft Protocol for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults in Tayside. The report also sought approval of the contents of the Protocol and agreement that Dundee City Council became signatories to the Protocol.

The Committee agreed:-

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

(ii) that the content of the Protocol for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults in Tayside be approved;

(iii) that the Protocol be adopted for use within Dundee City; and

(iv) that the benefits of the Protocol in protecting vulnerable individuals who may be at risk from abuse, mistreatment or neglect thereby improving the protection and the quality of life of vulnerable adults in the City be noted.

V ASSOCIATION OF DIRECTORS OF SOCIAL WORK ANNUAL CONFERENCE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN84-2005 reporting that the Annual Conference of the Association of Directors of Social Work would take place at Crieff Hydro from Wednesday, 11th May - Friday, 13th May, 2005. The cost of attendance would be 520 per delegate, excluding travel and subsistence allowances.

The Committee agreed that elected member representation at this Conference be on the basis of one member of the Administration, one member of the SNP Group and one member of the Conservative Group.

HELEN WRIGHT, Convener.

APPENDIX