Social Work And Health Committee - 20/05/2002

At a MEETING of the SOCIAL WORK COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 20th May 2002.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Betty WARD, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 22nd April 2002 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I TAYSIDE DELAYED DISCHARGE PARTNERSHIP - ACTION PLAN ON DELAYED DISCHARGE

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

There was submitted Report No 458-2002 by the Director of Social Work outlining the department's response, in conjunction with partner agencies across Tayside, to the then Minister for Health and Community Care's announcement on 5th March 2002, with regard to delayed discharge planning. The Minister had announced funding to address this issue subject to the approval of local action plans.

The Committee:-

(i) Noted the content of the report, and

(ii) Instructed the Director of Social Work, in conjunction with the Chief Executive, to conclude the Tayside Action Plan and ensure that the projects were implemented.

II ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR CHILDREN'S SOCIAL WORK SERVICES

There was submitted Report No 459-2002 by the Director of Social Work seeking approval of an operational policy and guidance document which prioritises the work that is carried out by the Social Work Department's child care service. This was set out in the form of an Eligibility Criteria for Children's Social Work Services. The purpose of this was to ensure an equitable and consistent approach to the needs of children and families in Dundee, and to enable the targeting of resources to meet the highest priority needs.

The Committee:-

(i) Noted and approved the contents of the report, and in particular agreed to the adoption of an Eligibility Criteria for Children's Social Work Services; and

(ii) Instructed that the Director of Social Work made available user-friendly information on the Eligibility Criteria to local families and to other agencies providing a service to children.

III PAYMENT RATES FOR INDEPENDENT SECTOR CARE HOMES 2002/03

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

There was submitted Report No 461-2002 by the Director of Social Work on recommended payment rates for 2002/03 for independent sector care homes.

The Committee:-

(i) Agreed that payments made to independent sector nursing and residential homes be increased as detailed in the report;

(ii) Noted the action of the Director of Social Work in making payments of backdated fee increases for 2001/02; and

(iii) Agreed that residential homes for older people be advised that Dundee City Council intended to increase the weekly rate by a further 25 (minimum) from April 2003.

IV PAYMENTS FOR SERVICES PROVIDED BY VOLUNTARY BODIES 2002/2003

There was submitted Report No 462-2002 by the Director of Social Work on the recommended level of payments for services provided by voluntary organisations for 2002/2003.

The Committee agreed the payments be made to the voluntary organisations detailed in the report at the levels outlined, subject to the Director of Social Work remaining satisfied that the service provided met with the service specification.

V APPOINTMENT OF LEAD OFFICER, SUBSTANCE MISUSE

The Committee noted the content of Agenda Note AN67-2002 which advised of the appointment of Mr Stephen Dalton as Lead Officer for Substance Misuse and that this appointment would also provide support to the Chair of the Drug and Alcohol Action Team in the strategic development of services.

VI APPOINTMENT OF MANAGER, CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES

The Committee noted the content of Agenda Note AN68-2002 which advised of the appointment of Mrs Margaret Anderson as Manager of Criminal Justice Services.

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 item of business on the grounds that it would involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 6 and 9 of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act.

VII PROPOSAL TO PROVIDE A PILOT ASSESSMENT UNIT FOR PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES

On a reference to Article IX of the minute of meeting of the Housing Committee of 22nd April 2002 there was submitted Joint Report No 270-2002 by the Director of Housing and Director of Social Work outlining a proposal to use a Very Sheltered bedsit as a pilot assessment flat to develop the concept of Life Sharing for people with learning disabilities who currently live with and receive support from their families.

The Committee approved the recommendations of the Report in so far as its interests were concerned.

BETTY WARD, Convener.