Chief Social Work Officer's Report

Ongoing efforts to protect and support people of all ages across Dundee are being showcased to councillors. The city governance committee will consider the latest report of the city’s Chief Social Work Officer Glyn Lloyd for 2024-25. 

Achievements highlighted in the report include:   

• The Children and Families Service was a finalist in the UK-wide Local Government Chronicle (LGC) Awards 2024 for Our Promise   

• The White Top Centre received grades of 6 (Excellent) for wellbeing and leadership in their most recent service inspection 

• Over 98% of patients were discharged from hospital without any delay and lost bed days reduced from 9,861 to 7,917   

• The balance of family-based versus residential care for children increased from 87.2% to 90.5%, now above the national average   

• The proportion of Diversion from Prosecution schemes completed successfully increased from 75% to 95%   

• 99% of participants attending Save a Life suicide prevention training reported greater confidence in how they would approach concerns 

City Governance Committee convener Councillor Mark Flynn said: “Our staff work on extremely complex matters involving vulnerable people and there are some huge challenges, but the report shows how services have responded well. I would like to thank them all for their continuing dedication.  

 “I am pleased to see the commitment we are showing to tackle longstanding issues in the city. 

“While none of us can afford to be complacent, we can see from the Chief Social Work Officer’s report that sustained efforts are being made across the city to make people’s lives better.” 

The report by Chief Social Work Officer Glyn Lloyd looks at opportunities and challenges faced by social work and social care.  

He said: “In my view, services are continuing to apply Social Work and Social Care values and practice to make major contributions to Council and Health and Social Care Partnership priorities, particularly in respect of addressing inequalities, promoting social inclusion and protecting people from harm. There have been some outstanding achievements, including services graded as Excellent or described as sector leading by the Care Inspectorate and others short-listed for both UK-wide and Scottish awards.  

“The report shows how services are also increasingly focused on enhancing prevention and building community capacity to accelerate a shift in focus away from institutional care such as children’s homes, hospitals or prisons. In doing so, they are working with partners and service users to jointly develop multi-disciplinary place-based approaches in our areas of greatest need. It involves a focus on enhancing the flexibility and accessibility of services, including enhanced support during evenings/weekends.” 

A report to the City Governance Committee also explains that further legislative changes specific to Social Work and Social Care are anticipated, alongside continued budgetary constraints and requirements to maintain support to vulnerable groups in all services. 

The committee meets on Monday December1.