Social Work And Health Committee - 24/03/2014

At a MEETING of the SOCIAL WORK AND HEALTH COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 24th March, 2014.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Ken LYNN, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 24th February, 2014 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

No declarations of interest were made.

II COMPLAINTS REVIEW COMMITTEE - MINUTE OF MEETING OF 18TH DECEMBER, 2013 AND 7TH FEBRUARY, 2014

The minute of meeting of the Complaints Review Committee held on 18th December, 2013 and 7th February, 2014 was submitted and approved, a copy of which is attached to this minute as an Appendix.

III COMMUNITY PAYBACK ORDERS

Reference was made to Article VIII of the minute of meeting of this Committee held on 25th June, 2012, wherein the first report on progress made in the implementation and operation of Community Payback Orders was submitted.

There was submitted Report No 147-2014 by the Director of Social Work providing Committee with the second annual update on the local operation of Community Payback Orders (CPOs). It was reported that the Criminal Justice and Licensing Act (Scotland) 2010 imposed a duty on local authorities to submit annual reports on CPOs. The first report submitted in June, 2012 outlined early progress made in the implementation of the new Order and this second report described further local progress.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to note the continued progress made in the implementation and operation of Community Payback Orders;

(ii) to note the contribution of Criminal Justice Social Work and partners to the Council Single Outcome Agreement in respect of reducing crime and reducing the fear of crime and the Community Justice Authority Strategic Plan; and

(iii) to instruct the Director of Social Work to provide a further report on the operation of Community Payback Orders and related developments in 12 months.

IV NATIONAL CARE HOME RATE 2014/2015

There was submitted Agenda Note AN138-2014 reporting that following recent national negotiations between COSLA and care home providers with regards to agreeing the nursing and residential care rates to be paid by local authorities under the National Care Home Contract, it was recommended that Dundee City Council adopted the new rates as set out in the note.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to adopt the new rates as set out in the note; and

(ii) to note that these rates would be effective from 7th April, 2014 and would apply regardless of the local authority area in which the home was situated and that these rates were all inclusive and no supplements would be paid.

V ASSOCIATION OF DIRECTORS OF SOCIAL WORK (ADSW) ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION 2014

There was submitted Agenda Note AN137-2014 reporting that the Annual Conference of the Association of Directors of Social Work take place at Crieff Hydro Hotel from Wednesday, 19th June to Thursday, 20th June, 2014 with the theme 'Social Work Services: With People, By People, For People'.

The cost of attendance per delegate was 399, plus VAT, excluding travel and subsistence allowances.

The 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 other elected member.

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

On a division, there voted for the motion - the Convener, Councillors Guild, Alexander, Black, Bowes, Campbell, Cordell, Dawson, Hunter, McDonald, Melville, Murray, Bailie Sawers, Lord Provost Duncan and Depute Lord Provost Roberts (15); and for the amendment - Councillors Keenan, Asif, Bidwell, Brennan, Cruickshank, Ferguson, Gordon, McCready, McGovern and Bailies Wright, Borthwick and Scott (12) - whereupon the motion was declared carried.

Ken LYNN, Convener.

APPENDIX

At a MEETING of the COMPLAINTS REVIEW COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 18th December, 2013 and 7th February, 2014.

Present:-

Mr Thomas W TAIT, Chairperson, in the Chair.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

The Committee resolved under Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the undernoted items of business on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 3, 5 and 7 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

No declarations of interest were made.

II CASE NO DCC 1/2014

The Committee considered a complaint which had been made by an agent on behalf of the Complainant requesting a review in relation to the actions taken by the Social Work Department. The Committee gave consideration to written submissions on behalf of the Complainant and on behalf of the Social Work Department including correspondence, copies of which had been circulated.

The Committee also heard oral representations by the Complainant, the representative of the Social Work Department and a witness called on behalf of the Social Work Department.

Thereafter, the Committee agreed to adjourn the meeting and reconvene at a later date to recall the management witness at the request of the Complainant.

At the adjourned meeting held on 7th February, 2014, having considered the complaint reviewed, the correspondence and written submissions before them and having regard to the oral representations, the Committee agreed to make the following recommendations:-

(i) that the complaint be upheld in part with regard to the lack of support received by the Complainant and recommended that:-

(a) The Director of Social Work ensure that carers are aware that services offered by the Family Support Unit are available for them also; and

(b) The Director of Social Work ensure that appropriate administrative arrangements are in place when staff are absent.

Thomas W TAIT, Chairperson.