Social Work And Health Committee - 20/03/2006

At a MEETING of the SOCIAL WORK COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 20th March 2006.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Bailie WRIGHT, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 20th February 2006 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I MINUTE OF MEETING OF CASES SUB-COMMITTEE OF 7TH MARCH 2006

The minute of meeting of the Cases Sub-Committee held on 7th March 2006 was submitted and noted for information and record purposes, a copy of which is attached as an appendix to this minute.

II MANAGEMENT OF OFFENDERS ETC (SCOTLAND) ACT - IMPLEMENTATION OF COMMUNITY JUSTICE AUTHORITIES

On a reference to Article V of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 20th June 2005 and Article II of minute of meeting of this Committee of 16th January 2006 there was submitted Report No 181-2006 by the Director of Social Work providing an update in relation to the key issues arising from the Management of Offenders etc (Scotland) Act specifically in relation to the creation of Community Justice Authorities.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to note the developments;

(ii) to nominate two Elected Members to serve on the Tayside Community Justice Authority which would come into place, in shadow form, from April 2006 with full implementation from April 2007; Thereafter Bailie Wright seconded by Councillor Keenan moved that the Convener of the Social Work Committee and the Convener of the Housing Committee be appointed.

As an amendment Councillor Dawson seconded by Councillor Don moved that the Convener of the Social Work Committee and the shadow SNP Convener of the Social Work Committee be appointed.

On a division, there voted for the motion, the Convener, Lord Provost Letford, Councillor Shimi, Councillor Keenan, Councillor Regan, Councillor Grant, Councillor Hind, Councillor Morrow, Councillor Macpherson, Councillor Dick, Bailie Powrie, Bailie Mackie, Councillor Wallace, Councillor Webster and Councillor Scott (15); and for the amendment, Councillor Don, Councillor Duncan, Councillor Beattie, Councillor Andrew Dawson, Councillor Sawers, Councillor Fitzpatrick, Councillor Roberts, Bailie Corrigan, Councillor Will Dawson, Councillor Fordyce and Bailie Borthwick (11) - whereupon the motion was declared carried and the Convener of the Social Work Committee and the Convener of the Housing Committee were appointed.

(iii) to note and approve the involvement of the Director of Social Work with the National Advisory Board; and

(iv) to require the Director of Social Work to report back to Committee on the progress made by the Community Justice Authority prior to full implementation in April 2007.

III CHANGING LIVES: A REPORT BY THE SOCIAL WORK 21ST CENTURY REVIEW GROUP

There was submitted Report No 182-2006 by the Director of Social Work informing of the main findings of the Changing Lives Report by the 21st Century Review Group. This review represented the most significant review of social work services for forty years. The report also contained details of the subsequent ministerial response and the proposed action plan for improvement.

The Committee agreed:-

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

(II) to instruct the Director of Social Work to submit further reports on the actions to be taken to address the report recommendations within the City.

IV DUNDEE FAMILY PLACEMENT SERVICE SMOKING POLICY - PROGRESS REPORT

On a reference to Article III of minute of this Committee of 19th December 2005 wherein the revised Family Placement Service Smoking Policy was approved there was submitted Report No 198-2006 by the Director of Social Work providing information on the policy implementation.

The Committee agreed:-

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

(ii) to instruct the Director of Social Work to provide a further update to the Committee in December 2006.

V PAYMENT RATES FOR INDEPENDENT SECTOR CARE HOMES 2006/2007

There was submitted Report No 206-2006 by the Director of Social Work recommending payment rates for independent sector care homes for 2006/2007.

The Committee agreed that payment rates ( per week) be made to independent sector care home providers as indicated below and to note that these rates would be effective from 10 April 2006 and would apply regardless of the local authority area in which the home was situated, the rates were all inclusive and no supplements would be paid.

VI SHELTERED HOUSING WARDENS

On a reference to Article I of the minute of meeting of the Housing Committee held on 20 March 2006 there was submitted joint Report No 84-2006 by the Director of Housing, Director of Social Work and Assistant Chief Executive (Management) proposing a repositioning of the Sheltered Housing Wardens Service within the Council Structure, a transfer of Sheltered Housing Wardens Service staff to the Housing Department, focusing Wardens duties on enhanced tenancy services and regrading Sheltered Housing Wardens to reflect the change in duties.

The Committee agreed:

(i) to the transfer of the Sheltered Housing Service from the Social Work Department to the Housing Department; and

(ii) to note that the personnel implications arising from this report would be considered by the Personnel Committee.

BAILIE HELEN WRIGHT, Convener

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