Social Work And Health Committee - 18/03/2002

At a MEETING of the SOCIAL WORK COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 18th March, 2002.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Betty WARD, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 18th February, 2002 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I YOUNG PERSON'S UNITS - STAFFING/TRAINING WORKING GROUP

Prior to consideration of this report the Committee agreed to hear two representatives of the Staffing/Training Working Group.

There was submitted Report No 179-2002 by the Director of Personnel and Management Services detailing the work undertaken by the Staffing/Training Working Group and outlining the proposals for the future of the Group.

The Committee:-

(i)noted the work carried out and the progress made by the Staffing/Training Working Group;

(ii)agreed that the Group should continue within the Social Work Department to take forward its original remit;

(iii)agreed that the Group should be chaired by a Senior Manager from within the Social Work Department;

(iv)agreed that the Planned Cover Team should continue until the new rota for Balgowan Avenue, Duncan Place, Fairbairn Street and Strathcarron Place was introduced; and

(v)noted that the Director of Personnel and Management Services would recommend to the Personnel and Management Services Committee that some form of cash compensation be granted to those Unit employees who, as a result of a one-off exercise, were being redeployed voluntarily to lower paid jobs.

II COMMUNITY CARE AND HEALTH (SCOTLAND) ACT 2002

Councillors Borthwick and Presswood declared an interest in this item and took no part in the discussion thereafter.

There was submitted Report No 230-2002 by the Director of Social Work on the introduction of Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002 and the impact this would have on the provision of certain social care services.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the contents of the report;

(ii)instructed the Director of Social Work to ensure that preparations were in place for revised joint working arrangements with NHS bodies and to bring forward appropriate partnership arrangements for consideration of the Social Work Committee;

(iii)instructed the Director of Social Work to make arrangements for the introduction of free social care and to advise members of the Social Work Committee on the implications for service criteria, charging and other systems;

(iv)instructed the Director of Social Work to ensure that arrangements were in place to meet the requirements of the legislation as it affected carers; and

(v)instructed the Director of Social Work to make arrangements to comply with the supporting regulations to the legislation as they were introduced and to report to the Social Work Committee any matters which would have an impact on the policy of the Council.

III DOUGLAS HOUSE

Reference was made to Article IX of the minute of the Social Work Committee held on 17th December, 2001 wherein, approval was given for the use of Douglas House by NHS Tayside until 31st March, 2002. It was reported that NHS Tayside had requested that this period of use be extended for up to one month to allow any final rundown arrangements to be made.

The Committee agreed that the use of Douglas House by NHS Tayside be extended for a period up to one month.

IV RESEARCH BY SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE EFFECTIVE INTERVENTIONS UNIT

 

There was submitted Report No 231-2002 by the Director of Social Work informing of national interest in the Dundee Youth Drugs Service which was aimed at reducing the drug and alcohol misuse by children and young people who were looked after by the Council.

 

The Committee noted the contents of the report and commended all those who had been involved in the success of this initiative.

 

V CONFERENCE - 20TH MARCH, 2002, CALEDONIAN HILTON HOTEL, EDINBURGH - COMMUNITY CARE FOR THE 21ST CENTURY - "WORKING TOGETHER TO MAKE LIFE BETTER"

 

It was reported that a conference on Community Care for the 21st Century entitled "Working Together To Make Life Better" would be held at the Caledonian Hilton Hotel, Edinburgh on 20th March, 2002.

 

It was also reported that the Director, after consultation with the Convener and a spokesperson from the Majority Group, the Majority Opposition Group and the Minority Opposition Group, had agreed that member representation at this conference be one member from the Majority Group, one member from the Majority Opposition Group and one member from the Minority Opposition Group at a cost of 240 per delegate, excluding travel and subsistence allowances.

 

CONFIDENTIAL ITEM

 

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

 

VI REGISTRATION OF RESIDENTIAL AND OTHER ESTABLISHMENTS

 

There was submitted Report No 236-2002 by the Director of Support Services seeking the Committee's approval of proposed variations to the conditions of registration for two residential establishments.

 

The Committee agreed that the applications for variation of registration for the two residential establishments as detailed be approved.

 

 

 

 

BETTY WARD, Convener.