Social Work And Health Committee - 22/08/2005

At a MEETING of the SOCIAL WORK COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 22nd August 2005.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Bailie Wright, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 20th June 2005 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I MINUTE OF MEETING OF CASES SUB-COMMITTEE OF 6TH JULY 2005

The minute of meeting of Cases Sub-Committee held on 6th July 2005 was submitted and noted for information and record purposes, a copy of which is attached to this minute as an Appendix.

II REVIEW OF SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT SERVICE PLAN 2003-2007

There was submitted Report No 482-2005 by the Director of Social Work providing information on the progress of the major activities outlined in Dundee City Council Social Work Service Plan 2003-2007.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to note the content of this report; and

(ii) to instruct the Director of Social Work to produce an interim report within the next six months.

III A FRAMEWORK FOR SERVICES IN DUNDEE FOR PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES

Councillor Fordyce declared a non-financial interest in this item by virtue of a recipient of the service being known to her in a personal capacity.

Bailie Borthwick declared a non-financial interest in this item by virtue of his wife being employed as a Social Care Officer at establishment.

There was submitted Report No 494-2005 by the Director of Social Work providing detailed information to the Social Work Committee on a framework for services for people with a learning disability in Dundee and to seek approval to implement the recommendations within the report "A Framework for Services for People with a Learning Disability in Dundee".

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to adopt "A Framework for Services for People with Learning Disabilities in Dundee" for the delivery of community care services to people with a learning disability in Dundee;

(ii) to instruct that financial guidance regarding a limit for care packages as outlined in paragraph 6.2.8 be developed; and

(iii) to instruct that the framework be reviewed annually by the Learning Disability Strategic Planning Group.

IV ADULT MENTAL HEALTH REVIEW IN TAYSIDE

There was submitted Report No 495-2005 by the Director of Social Work advising of the progress that was being made towards implementing the outcome of the Adult Mental Health Review in Tayside and to request that as part of the process of implementation of the Review, the Director of Social Work, or his representative, be authorised to "sign off", within current powers of delegated authority, business cases put to the Programme Board.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to note the progress that was being made towards implementing the Audit Mental Health Review in Dundee as summarised in paragraph 6.1.2 of the report;

(ii) to authorise the Director of Social Work or his representative to sign off, within current delegated powers, business cases approved by the Project Board; and

(iii) to instruct the Director of Social Work to bring back to the Social Work Committee for approval, any recommendations that exceed the current powers of delegated authority.

V CHARGES FOR DISPERSED COMMUNITY ALARMS

This report was withdrawn from consideration.

VI GRANTS TO VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS 2005/2006

Councillors Grant and Will Dawson declared non-financial interests in this item by virtue of their Council appointment to the Grey Lodge Settlement.

Councillor Sturrock declared a non-financial interest in this item by virtue of her work with Marlyn Glen MSP who was renting accommodation at the Factory Skatepark.

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

There was submitted Report No 486-2005 by the Director of Social Work detailing the recommendations of the Director of Social Work on the Section 10 grant awards to voluntary organisations for 2005/2006.

The Committee agreed the payments to the voluntary organisations listed in Appendix 1 at the levels outlined.

VII MEALS SERVICE CHARGES

This item was withdrawn from consideration.

VIII CHOOSE LIFE

On a reference to Article II of the meeting of the Social Work Committee of 16th February 2004 wherein proposals for the implementation of the Choose Life Strategy were approved.

There was submitted Agenda Note AN332-2005 reporting that the Sub-Group had now approved an additional payment for Choose Life Funding to the Dundee Samaritans amounting to 15,192.00 to cover recruitment, advertising and awareness raising and purchase of equipment.

The intention was to release funding to Samaritans who would use some of the money to raise public awareness with a specific focus on Suicide Awareness Week in September through to the festive period, which was traditionally a peak time for those contemplating suicide. Part of the money would be used for high visibility advertising in the form of a taxi advertising the Samaritans.

The Committee approved the release of Choose Life Funding.

IX CHILDREN'S SERVICES OFFICE, 6 KIRKTON ROAD, DUNDEE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN334-2005 reporting that for operational reasons the Social Work Department's Children's Services Office, 6 Kirkton Road, Dundee had been relocated and that the Director of Social Work had no further use for this building.

The Committee agreed that the building be formally declared surplus to requirements and that it be remitted to the Director of Economic Development to dispose of the property.

X CHILDREN IN SCOTLAND CONFERENCE - 9TH SEPTEMBER 2005

There was submitted Agenda Note AN333-2005 reporting that a one-day Conference; a tenth anniversary review of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 would take place at the Edinburgh Hilton Airport Hotel in Friday, 9th September 2005.

The cost of attendance would be approximately 150 per delegate excluding travel and subsistence allowances.

The Committee agreed that elected member attendance be on the basis of one member of the Administration and one member of the SNP.

HELEN WRIGHT, Convener.

APPENDIX