Social Work And Health Committee - 18/12/2006

At a MEETING of the SOCIAL WORK COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 18th December, 2006.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Bailie Helen WRIGHT, Convener, in the Chair.

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

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I PASSIVE SMOKING - HOME VISITING POLICY - ANNUAL REVIEW

On a reference to Article II of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 10th December, 2005 wherein the Passive Smoking - Home Visiting Policy was approved, there was submitted Report No 680-2006 by the Director of Social Work informing members of the outcome of a recent review of the Policy.

The Committee agreed to note the content of the report.

II INNOVATIONS AND DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SUPPORT OF EX-OFFENDERS

There was submitted Report No 704-2006 by the Director of Social Work providing information on two new initiatives in criminal justice social work which were aimed at reducing re-offending and strengthening the provision of community-based services.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to note the content of the report;

(ii) to note the policy initiatives outlined; and

(iii) to refer any staffing implications to the Personnel Committee for approval.

III STANDARDS FOR CHILD PROTECTION AND THE AMENDED CHILD PROTECTION PROCEDURES

There was submitted Report No 705-2006 by the Director of Social Work providing information on local standards which had been developed in respect of the department's child protection practice and services. These standards formed part of a performance management framework. This report also provided information on the implementation of the department's amended Child Protection Procedures which would be distributed and implemented throughout the department from the start of 2007.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to approve the contents of the report, the standards and the amended departmental Child Protection Procedures;

(ii) to authorise the Director of Social Work to ensure the implementation of these standards and procedures as part of a performance management framework; and

(iii) to note that a review of the standards would be undertaken within the Social Work Department's Service Plan 2007-2010.

IV EVALUATION OF COMMUNITY FAMILY SUPPORT PROJECT

There was submitted Report No 706-2006 by the Director of Social Work acknowledging receipt of the report on the evaluation of the work of the Community Family Support Project completed by Dundee University in June 2006, and the very positive outcomes for children and families receiving services from the Project highlighted by this evaluation.

The Committee agreed to formally endorse the findings of the Community Family Support Project Evaluation Report and support the future development of this service.

V CHANGING LIVES - IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

On a reference to Article III of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 20th March, 2006 wherein the report by the 21st Century Review Group entitled Changing Lives was noted, there was submitted Report No 714-2006 by the Director of Social Work informing of the Social Work Department's proposed action plan.

The Committee agreed:-

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

(ii) to instruct the Director of Social Work to ensure implementation of the proposed actions and to monitor progress at regular intervals.

VI TENDERS RECEIVED - McKINNON CENTRE AND MENZIESHILL RHE - INTERNAL ALTERATIONS

There was submitted Report No 717-2006 by the City Architectural Services Officer giving details of an offer which had been received for internal alterations to the McKinnon Centre and Menzieshill RHE to provide a double door arrangement at communal lounge areas.

The Committee agreed to accept the negotiated offer with Dundee Contract Services under the planned maintenance and small works partnership with a cost estimated at 10,600 together with allowances for professional services amounting to 1,698 making a total expenditure of 12,298.

Helen WRIGHT, Convener.