Social Work And Health Committee - 19/06/2000

At a MEETING of the SOCIAL WORK COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 19th June, 2000.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor WARD, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 15th May, 2000 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DEVELOPING COMMUNITY CARE SERVICES FOR OLDER PEOPLE IN DUNDEE

With reference to Article V of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 21st June, 1999, there was submitted Report No 419-2000 by the Director of Social Work recommending how services for older people should be developed in the next three years based upon the investigation and review of the recalled Older People (Community Care) Working Group which had met between August, 1999 and May, 2000.

The Committee:-

(1) noted the areas of enquiry that had been covered by the Older People (Community Care) Working Group and the conclusions reached following an investigation of these areas;

(2) agreed the recommendations for action outlined in the report;

(3) agreed that the Council continue to gradually reduce its residential provision for older people, redeploy staff and resources where appropriate and offer early retirement on a limited basis; and

(4) agreed the future investment strategy outlined in the report for the development of additional community care services and improvement of the remaining residential provision.

II A STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN FOR CARERS IN DUNDEE

There was submitted Report No 420-2000 by the Director of Social Work seeking approval to implement a Strategic Action Plan for carers in Dundee and to approve project developments in line with the Scottish Executives financial allocation for carer services.

Following consideration, the Committee instructed the Director of Social Work to

(1) implement the Strategic Action Plan for carers in Dundee; and

(2) approve the project developments to enhance services for carers.

III REGULATORY FEES FOR RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES

The Committee agreed that the undernoted fees be applied to residential care homes with effect from 1st April, 2000.

The Committee further noted that these rates were in line with those recommended by the Scottish Executive as set out in the Registered Establishment (Fees) (Scotland) Order 2000.

IV SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - ESTABLISHMENT OF ADDITIONAL POSTS

There was submitted Joint Report No 350-2000 by the Directors of Education, Social Work and Personnel and Management Services seeking approval of the establishment of three Temporary Outreach Worker posts to develop and enhance support for families with very young children in specific areas of greatest need within the City and in partnership with the Education Department, other agencies and local service providers.

The Committee approved, for its interest, the terms of the report.

V SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - BLACKSHADE CHILD AND FAMILY CENTRE - STAFFING STRUCTURE

There was submitted Joint Report No 347-2000 by the Director of Social Work and the Director of Personnel and Management Services which outlined the staffing implications arising from the decision made at the Policy and Resources Committee meeting on 9th March, 2000 to rationalise the staffing establishment at Blackshade Child and Family Centre in anticipation of the proposed relocation of services to Ardler Primary School in August, 2000.

The Committee approved for its interest, the contents of the report.

VI SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - KIRKTON CHILD AND FAMILY CENTRE - STAFFING STRUCTURE

There was submitted Joint Report No 348-2000 by the Director of Social Work and the Director of Personnel and Management Services which outlined the staffing implications arising from the decision made at the Policy and Resources Committee meeting on 9th March, 2000 to rationalise the staffing establishment at Kirkton Child and Family Centre following a fall in local need and demand for services in the Kirkton area to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of sessional care and family support services from Kirkton Child and Family Centres temporary base in Kirkton Nursery School.

The Committee, for its interest, approved the terms of the report.

VII SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - FINTRY COMMUNITY NURSERY - STAFFING STRUCTURE

There was submitted Joint Report No 349-2000 by the Director of Social Work and the Director of Personnel and Management Services which outlined the implementation strategy from the decision made at the Policy and Resources Committee meeting on 9th March, 2000 regarding the transfer to Education provision of the existing childcare provision at Fintry Community Nursery from August, 2000.

Following discussion, the Convener, seconded by Councillor de Gernier, moved that the Committee approve:-

(1) the termination of the lease on the property at 29 Grampian Gardens rented from Abertay Housing Association;

(2) the matching of children and families currently receiving a service with alternative childcare provision offered in the local area by the Education Department, or purchase from other childcare providers; and

(3) the redeployment of staff as outlined in the report.

As an amendment, Councillor Fordyce, seconded by Councillor Richard Beattie, moved that consideration of this item be deferred until after the special meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee to be held immediately after this Committee, where resources to keep Fintry Nursery open would be identified.

On a division, there voted for the motion, Lord Provost Wright, Councillors Ward, de Gernier, Letford, Shimi, Presswood, Regan, Farquhar, Kemp, Sturrock, Glen, Rolfe, Mackie, Wallace and Scott - (15); and for the amendment, Councillors Richard Beattie, Dawson, Sawers, FitzPatrick, Petrie, Guild, Corrigan, Dave Beattie, Fordyce, Bowes and Borthwick - (11); whereupon the motion was declared carried and the Committee resolved accordingly.

VIII CHILDREN'S RESPITE UNIT, GILLBURN ROAD

There was submitted a Joint Report No. 495-2000 by the Director of Social Work and the City Architectural Services Officer advising that following consultation with the Convener, and Major and Minor Opposition Groups' spokespersons, the Director of Social Work had agreed that the City Architectural Services Officer be authorised to procure and accept the essential furniture and equipment required for the Children's Respite Unit, provided the prices obtained were fair and reasonable and the amount did not exceed the allowance available.

The Committee further noted that details of the resulting procurement would be reported to Committee at a later date.

IX SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT SERVICE PLAN - PROGRESS UPDATE

With reference to Article I of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 15th November, 1999 there was submitted Report No 422-2000 by the Director of Social Work seeking approval of the Department Service Plan Progress Update for 2000.

The Committee approved the Social Work Department Service Plan Progress Update for 2000 as detailed in Appendix I to Report No 422-2000.

The Committee noted that the Convener had agreed that the undernoted item be considered as a matter of urgency in terms of Standing Order No 51(3)(b).

X APPLICATION TO DOMESTIC ABUSE SERVICE DEVELOPMENT FUND

The Committee approved an application to the Scottish Executive Domestic Abuse Service Development Fund to extend the services provided by Womens Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre in Dundee to fund a full-time volunteer Development Co-Ordinator and a part-time Project Worker to enable the Centre to maximise the support it offers to users, volunteers and local agencies.

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 in order that the undernoted item of business be considered in private on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 6 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act.

X REGISTRATION OF RESIDENTIAL ESTABLISHMENTS

There was submitted Report No 404-2000 by the Director of Support Services detailing a request for a variation to a Certificate of Registration for a residential establishment.

The Committee agreed to approve the following variation of registration subject to the existing conditions of registration:-

Bupa Care Homes, Bridge House, Outwood Lane, Horsforth, Leeds, in respect of Balcarres Residential Homes, 64 Albany Road, Broughty Ferry, Dundee - A private residential home for older people to accommodate a maximum of forty residents and to be managed by Ms Ann Bissett-Johnston.

BETTY WARD, Convener.