Social Work And Health Committee - 23/09/2013

At a MEETING of the SOCIAL WORK AND HEALTH COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 23rd September, 2013.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Alan ROSS, Depute Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 9th September, 2013 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

No declarations of interest were made.

II SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT SERVICE PLAN ANNUAL REVIEW

Reference was made to Article I of the minute of meeting of this Committee held on 25th February, 2013, wherein the Social Work Service Plan 2012-2017 was approved.

There was submitted Report No 373-2013 by the Director of Social Work providing an annual report on the progress of the performance measures and actions/projects included in the Social Work Service Plan 2012-2017.

The Committee agreed:-

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

(ii) to instruct the Social Work Department to continue to seek improvements in the performance measures and progress the actions/projects set out in the Social Work Service Plan 2012-2017.

III SOCIAL CARE (SELF-DIRECTED SUPPORT) (SCOTLAND) ACT 2013 - DRAFT REGULATIONS AND GUIDANCE

Reference was made to Article III of the minute of meeting of this Committee held on 23rd April, 2012, wherein a report in relation to Social Care (Self-Directed Support) (Scotland) Bill - Call for Written Views and Implementation Arrangements for Personalised Services was submitted and approved.

There was submitted Report No 334-2013 by the Director of Social Work providing information about the Social Work Department Officers' response to the draft Regulations and Guidance issued by the Scottish Government to support the Social Care (Self-Directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to note the recently submitted Social Work Department Officers' response to the Scottish Government's consultation on the draft Regulations and Guidance to support the Social Care (Self-Directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013, as appended to the report; and

(ii) to instruct the Director of Social Work to provide information to Committee on any subsequent implications arising from the finalised regulations and guidance.

IV FOSTERING AND ADOPTION SERVICES

There was submitted Report No 332-2013 by the Director of Social Work informing of the work of the Fostering and Adoption Service during 2012 including the business of both the Fostering and Adoption and Permanence Panels as detailed in Appendix 3 of the report. In addition, it advised members of plans to increase the recruitment and retention of in-house foster carers and adopters. It also provided the amended constitution of both panels as detailed in Appendices 1 and 2 of the report.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to note the content of the report and approve the amended constitution for both the Fostering and Adoption and Permanence Panels; and

(ii) to note that the Director of Social Work would pursue the establishment of an additional Resource Worker post through the Establishment Change Note process.

V OUTCOME OF IMPROVEMENTS MADE TO THE HOME CARE - ENABLEMENT (EAST) AND SOCIAL CARE RESPONSE SERVICE FOLLOWING CAREINSPECTORATE INSPECTION DATED NOVEMBER, 2012

Reference was made to Article II of the minute of meeting of this Committee held on 22nd April, 2013, wherein a report providing additional information in relation to Care Inspectorate Inspection - Home Care Establishment (East) and Social Care Response Team was approved.

Reference was also made to Article IV of minute of meeting of this Committee held on 25th March, 2013, wherein it was agreed that the Director of Social Work should submit a report to this Committee in six months' time on the progress of the actions set out in the report.

There was submitted Report No 371-2013 by the Director of Social Work advising of the actions taken and improvements made to the service provided by the Home Care Enablement (East) and Social Care Response Service.

The Committee agreed to note the contents of the report.

VI ADSW CRIMINAL JUSTICE CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION 2013 COMMUNITY JUSTICE, A COMMUNITY RESPONSE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN105-2013 reporting that the Criminal Justice Conference of the Association of Directors of Social Work would take place at Crieff Hydro Hotel from Thursday, 24th October, 2013 to Friday, 25th October, 2013 with the theme Community Justice, A Community Response.

The cost of attendance would be approximately 399 + VAT per person excluding travel and subsistence allowances.

Thereafter, the Depute Convener, seconded by Councillor Hunter, moved that elected member attendance at the conference be on the basis of one member of the Administration and one member of the Labour Group.

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

On a division, there voted for the motion - the Depute Convener, Councillors Guild, Alexander, Black, Bowes, Campbell, Cordell, Dawson, Hunter, McDonald, Melville, Murray, Keenan, Asif, Bidwell, Brennan, Cruickshank, Ferguson, Gordon, McCready, Bailies Sawers, Wright and Borthwick and Lord Provost Duncan (24); and for the amendment - Councillor Macpherson and Bailie Scott (2) - whereupon the motion was declared carried.

VII DIRECT PAYMENTS - REVISION OF RATES

Reference was made to Article IV of minute of meeting of this Committee held on 27th September, 2010, wherein the Committee agreed the updated rates to be used to calculate the value of a Direct Payment and also when calculating the contribution an individual should make towards the cost of their service.

In addition, the Social Work and Health Committee agreed the Social Care Support rates to be used to calculate the value of personal care provision where the service user had made their own arrangements to procure this provision.

There was submitted Agenda Note AN106-2013 reporting that the Council had a duty to make available Direct Payments which allowed people to receive money from the Social Work Department to arrange and purchase their own services to meet their assessed needs.

It was reported that following recent completion of the re-tendering of the three year block domiciliary care contract it was now appropriate to revise these rates accordingly to ensure service users continued to have choice of service provider.

The Committee agreed the revised rates as recommended in the note and that they take effect from 17th June, 2013.

Alan ROSS, Depute Convener.