Social Work And Health Committee - 19/09/2005

At a MEETING of the SOCIAL WORK COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 19th September, 2005.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Bailie Wright, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 22nd August, 2005 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I MINUTE OF MEETING OF CASES SUB-COMMITTEE OF 18TH AUGUST, 2005

The minute of meeting of the Cases Sub-Committee held on 18th August, 2005 was submitted and noted for information and record purposes, a copy of which is attached to this minute as an Appendix.

II SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - REVIEW OF SOCIAL WORK CARE MANAGEMENT AND ASSESSMENT SERVICES - SENIOR PRACTITIONERS

On a reference to Article III of minute of meeting of the Personnel Committee held on 12th September 2005 there was submitted Joint Report No 518-2005 by the Director of Social Work and Assistant Chief Executive (Management) outlining a proposal arising from a detailed review of roles, responsibilities, skills mix and structures within social work care management and assessment services.

The Committee agreed:-

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

(ii) that a review of the operation of the Senior Practitioner role be undertaken by the Director of Social Work as outlined in the report.

III SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - REVIEW OF SOCIAL WORK CARE MANAGEMENT AND ASSESSMENT SERVICES SUPPORT WORKERS AND SOCIALWORK ASSISTANTS

On a reference to Article IV of minute of meeting of the Personnel Committee held on 12th September 2005, there was submitted Joint Report No 524-2005 by the Director of Social Work and Assistant Chief Executive (Management) outlining a proposal arising from a detailed review of roles, responsibilities, skills mix and structures within social work care management and assessment services. The report concentrated on the arrangements required to assist professionally qualified staff in care management and assessment.

The Committee agreed:-

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

(ii) that a review of the operation of the Support Worker role be undertaken by the Director of Social Work as outlined in the report.

IV CLOSURE OF LINLATHEN FAMILY SUPPORT CENTRE AND REINVESTMENT AT WHITFIELD, DOUGLAS AND BRUCE STREET FAMILY SUPPORTCENTRES

There was submitted Report No 567-2005 by the Director of Social Work seeking approval for the closure of Linlathen Family Support Centre and the re-investment of a proportion of these resources to increase the service capacity at Whitfield, Douglas and Bruce Street Family Support Centres.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to approve the content of the report and the closure of Linlathen Family Support Centre by 31st March, 2006 with subsequent re-investment in new outreach services and staffing resources in Douglas, Whitfield and Bruce Street Family Support Centres; and

(ii) to instruct the Director of Social Work and Assistant Chief Executive (Management) to bring a report to a future Personnel Committee regarding all the staffing implications including redeployment

V GETTING IT RIGHT FOR EVERY CHILD

There was submitted Report No 568-2005 by the Director of Social Work providing information on the draft response to the Scottish Executive on the publication of 'Getting it Right for Every Child' (Scottish Executive, 2005).

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to note and approve the contents of the report and the attached draft response; and

(ii) to authorise the Director of Social Work to forward a final response to the Scottish Executive by the due date of 30th September, 2005.

VI RESEARCH VISIT BY CHINESE LEGISLATIVE STAFF

There was submitted Agenda Note AN383-2005 advising that three legislative staff from China planned to visit the UK for a two month research visit from mid October 2005 during which time they would spend two weeks with Dundee City Council. The purpose of their visit would be to study how the UK system deals with minor offenders and the procedure adopted to safeguard individual's rights. The expectation would be that the staff would return with information which could be useful to the reform of Chinese legislation.

The Committee noted the content of the note.

The Convener agreed that the undernoted item be considered as a matter of urgency in terms of Standing Order No 17(b) in view of the timescales involved.

VII CHILDREN IN SCOTLAND ANNUAL CONFERENCE - 3RD NOVEMBER 2005

There was submitted Agenda Note AN388-2005 reporting that a two-day Conference with study visits to explore the importance of creating an enthusiasm for learning that lasts a lifetime would be held at the Apex Hotel, Dundee on Thursday, 3rd and Friday, 4th November 2005.

The cost of attendance would be approximately 170 per delegate excluding travel and subsistence allowances.

The Committee 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.

Helen Wright, Convener

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