Social Work And Health Committee - 28/03/2011

At a MEETING of the SOCIAL WORK AND HEALTH COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 28th March, 2011.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Jim BARRIE, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 28th February, 2011 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I CHOOSE LIFE SUICIDE PREVENTION STRATEGY

Reference was made to Article II of the minute of meeting of the Social Work Committee held on 16th February, 2004, wherein the proposals on the implementation of the Choose Life Strategy were approved.

There was submitted Report No 136-2011 by the Director of Social Work providing an update on the Choose Life National Strategy and Action Plan which aimed to reduce by 20% suicide levels across Scotland by 2013. It also provided details of actions being taken locally to achieve this.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to note changes to the National Strategy and Action Plan for Suicide Prevention in Scotland;

(ii) to endorse suicide prevention measures being taken locally, including the provision of training;

(iii) to approve the release of funding as detailed to meet the Choose Life Suicide Prevention agenda for 2011/2012; and

(iv) to require the Director of Social Work to report back to Committee with plans for the balance of funds.

II ENGAGING CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAMILIES

There was submitted Report No 160-2011 by the Director of Social Work proposing ways in which children, young people and their families may be supported to be more effectively engaged in child protection issues.

The report also proposed how children, young people and their families might be engaged in the development of care and protection policies and processes.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) that a Care and Protection Engagement Officer post be created to:-

(a) support children and young people through the child protection process enabling them to express their views, with the aim of improving outcomes and service delivery;

(b) offer guidance and support to practitioners on how best to engage children, young people and their families in the child protection process with the aim of improving outcomes and service delivery.

(ii) that the Care and Protection Engagement Officer reported quarterly to the Children and Young Persons' Protection Committee and the Chief Officer Group; and

(iii) that the Care and Protection Engagement Officer had a Strategic contribution to make to self-evaluation through his/her role in enabling children, young people and families to express their views about their experience of care and protection processes and procedures in Dundee.

III INITIAL REVIEW OF FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICE - FAMILY SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT WORKER POSTS AND PROPOSALS FOR NEWINTENSIVE FAMILY SUPPORT TEAM

There was submitted Report No 163-2011 by the Director of Social Work following a review of the priorities and targeting of Family Support Team (FST) services in Dundee, this report detailed proposals to create a new Intensive Family Support Team through the re-focussing of the resources invested in the Family Support Development Worker (FSDW) posts currently on the FST staffing establishment.

These proposals had arisen from the initial review of FST services, and further proposals would be brought forward regarding the future shape of FST services in Dundee when work on the wider review was concluded.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to the contents and recommendations contained within the report; and

(ii) to remit the Director of Social Work to bring forward further proposals regarding the future targeting of the resources in Dundee FST's, proposed staffing model and re‑configuration of family support services.

IV ANNUAL REPORT OF ADOPTION AND FOSTERING SERVICES

There was submitted Report No 164-2011 by the Director of Social Work informing members of the Adoption Service and the Fostering Service during 2010, including the business of the Adoption and Permanence Panel and the Fostering Panel. It also provided the proposed service improvement plan for the year ahead as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report.

The Committee agreed to note and approve the contents of the annual reports and the proposed service improvement plan for 2011.

V NATIONAL CARE HOME FEE SETTLEMENT AND QUALITY AWARDS 2011/2012

There was submitted Report No 165-2011 by the Director of Social Work informing of the outcome of negotiations between COSLA, the Scottish Government and care home providers in relation to the ongoing development of the National Care Home Contract (NCHC) settlement for 2011/2012.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to note that Scottish Care, the providers' representatives, had agreed to the COSLA proposal to freeze the deadline NCHC rates for the 2011/2012 which would result in a reduced cost to local government after uplifts in the Department of Work and Pensions were taken into consideration. These rates were outlined in Appendix 1 of the report; and

(ii) to note that Scottish Care had further agreed to a formal review of the NCHC during 2011/2012 to explore all available options with respect to the procurement of care home places.

VI FOSTERING ALLOWANCE 2011/2012

There was submitted Agenda Note AN53-2011 seeking approval for fostering allowances for 2011/2012.

The Committee agreed that the rates of payment as detailed in the note, be approved and that they be effective from 28th March, 2011.

VII SAMH SERVICE RE-DESIGN - IMPACT ON CHARGING

It was reported that during 2010/2011, officers within the Social Work Department had worked with the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) to re-focus their services to better meet the needs of service users. As a result of this, there had been a reduction in the service unit cost and therefore a corresponding reduction in the charge to service users from 23.20 per hour to 18.70 per hour.

The Committee approved the revised charge with effect from April 2011.

VIII ASSOCIATION OF DIRECTORS OF SOCIAL WORK (ADSW) ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION 2011

It was reported that the Annual Conference of the Association of Directors of Social Work takes place at Crieff Hydro Hotel from Wednesday, 18th May to Friday, 20th May, 2011 with the theme 'What is to be done?'

The cost of attendance would be approximately 575 plus VAT per delegate, excluding travel and subsistence allowances.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Lynn, moved that attendance at the Conference be on the basis of one member of the Administration and one member of the Major Opposition Group.

As an amendment, Councillor Hay, seconded by Bailie Scott, moved that no elected members attend the Conference.

On a division, there voted for the motion - Bailie Sawers, Councillors Barrie, Guild, Black, Bowes, Andy Dawson, Will Dawson, Duncan, Fordyce, Hunter, Lynn, Melville, Roberts, Ross and Lord Provost Letford (15); and for the amendment - Bailies Regan, Wright, Wallace, Scott, Councillors Asif, Bidwell, Ferguson, Gordon, McCready, Hay, Macpherson and Depute Lord Provost Borthwick (12) - whereupon the motion was declared carried.

Jim BARRIE, Convener.