Social Work And Health Committee - 23/10/2006

At a MEETING of the SOCIAL WORK COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 23rd October, 2006.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Bailie Helen WRIGHT, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 18th September 2006 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I CUSTOMER CARE OFFICER - ANNUAL REPORT

There was submitted Report No 581-2006 by the Director of Social Work on the first annual report to be prepared by the Customer Care Officer. The report provided information about the work of the Customer Care Officer which aims to improve customer service and consultation throughout the Social Work Department.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to approve the content of the report;

(ii) to instruct the Director of Social Work to publish an integrated annual report on the work of the Customer Care Officer which also contained information on the operation of the departmental complaints policy; and

(iii) to instruct the Director of Social Work to work towards achieving the National Charter Mark award which was awarded to organisations who achieved high standards of customer care and consultation.

II PROGRESS TOWARDS SERVICE AND WAITING TIME TARGETS FOR OLDER PEOPLE

On a reference to Article I of minute of meeting held on 26th June 2006, wherein it was agreed that regular reports be submitted to Committee on progress towards service targets and waiting times there was submitted Report No 723-2006 by the Director of Social Work.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to note the developing position on waiting times as outlined in the report; and

(ii) to increase the current overspend by 100k and that this be included in the future Revenue Budget Monitoring Reports, this additional expenditure would be used to firstly reduce the maximum waiting time for Free Personal Care to 75 days and any balance to be used to reduce other waiting times included in the Report.

III STANDARDS FOR LOOKED AFTER CHILDREN

There was submitted Report No 582-2006 by the Director of Social Work providing information on local standards of service delivery which had been developed in respect of children and young people who were looked after and looked after and accommodated. The standards formed part of a performance management framework.

The Committee agreed:-

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

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

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

IV POST SCHOOL SUPPORT FOR YOUNG ADULTS IN FURTHER EDUCATION

There was submitted Report No 579-2006 by the Director of Social Work outlining the duties placed on local authorities with regard to post school support for young adults in further education and proposals for support/care and transport arrangements.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to continue to develop, alongside colleagues in education, health and further education, protocols in keeping with the Partnership Matters guidance. These protocols would include referral, assessment and decision-making processes and that an agreed multi-disciplinary group would manage this;

(ii) to the contractual hire of transport for 12 individuals to Elmwood is put in place in line with the financial framework outlined in the report; and

(iii) to 18 hours of Care Assistant hours being redesignated to 20 hours for 38 weeks Escort per annum to support the recommended temporary transport solution to and from Elmwood.

V YOUTH JUSTICE ANNUAL REPORT AND YOUTH CRIME AUDIT

There was submitted Report No 595-2006 by the Director of Social Work informing members of the 2005/2006 Youth Justice Annual Report/Youth Crime Audit for Dundee.

The Committee agreed:-

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

(ii) to note and approve the Youth Justice Annual Report/Youth Crime Audit.

VI TENDERS RECEIVED - THE ELMS - BEDROOM 4 - WC UPGRADE

Reference was made to Article I of minute of meeting held on 21st November 2005 wherein a list of projects where approved. There was submitted Report No 607-2006 by the City Architectural Services Officer reporting that a partnering arrangement had been in place with the contractor at that time and that the project had been deferred however it had now been reinstated.

The Committee agreed to accept the partnership offer with Forman Construction Limited, Dundee up to the agreed maximum price of 8,084.15, together with allowances for professional services amounting to 1,296.00 making a total expenditure of 9,380.15.

Helen WRIGHT, Convener.