Social Work And Health Committee - 15/05/2006

At a MEETING of the SOCIAL WORK COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 15th May 2006.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Bailie WRIGHT, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 17th April 2006 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I THE CHILDREN'S RIGHTS SERVICE ANNUAL REPORT

There was submitted Report No 275-2006 by the Director of Social Work on the work undertaken by the Children's Rights Officer for Children and Young People looked after by Dundee City Council, for the year 2004/2005.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to note and approve the annual report on the work of the Children's Rights Officer for the period 1st November 2004 to 31st January 2006;

(ii) to instruct the Director of Social Work to develop a Participation Strategy across Council departments and agencies, compatible with the Integrating Children's Services Report; and

(iii) to instruct the Director of Social Work to require the Children's Rights Officer to further develop the service to children with disabilities by strengthening partnerships with voluntary organisations providing advocacy to these service users.

II RE-ALIGNMENT OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES SOCIAL WORK TEAMS WITH SECONDARY SCHOOL CATCHMENT AREAS

There was submitted Report No 306-2006 by the Director of Social Work seeking approval for the re-alignment of children's services social work teams boundaries to fit with secondary schools catchment areas and their associated primary schools. This would make a significant contribution to the Council's strategic aim of creating integrated children's services as a means of achieving good outcomes for all children, but particularly for those who require additional help and support.

The Committee agreed to the re-alignment of Social Work teams as noted.

III CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLES RESIDENTIAL SERVICE

There was submitted Report No 287-2006 by the Director of Social Work providing a summary of the progress made in the residential childcare services in Dundee, since the independent consultants report in June 2001. The report evidenced improvements and outlined the areas for further improvement.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to note and approve the continuing progress in improving the services to those children and young people accommodated in residential care; and

(ii) to approve the content of the report.

IV DETENTION OF CHILDREN

There was submitted Report No 290-2006 by the Director of Social Work advising of a protocol between Dundee City Council and Tayside Police concerning the detention of children.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to note that a "Detention of Children" protocol had been developed;

(ii) to instruct the Director of Social Work, in conjunction with the Chief Constable and the Chief Executive to implement the protocol; and

(iii) to instruct the Director of Social Work, in conjunction with the Chief Constable and the Chief Executive, to ensure all relevant staff were made aware of the existence of the protocol and were appropriately trained.

V STANDARD CHARGES FOR LOCAL AUTHORITY RESIDENTIAL UNITS

There was submitted Report No 283-2006 by the Director of Social Work recommending the level of standard charge to be applied in 2006/07 for local authority residential accommodation for adults.

The Committee agreed standard charges for local authority residential accommodation as follows:-

VI CHARGING FOR HOUSING SUPPORT SERVICES

Reference was made to Article I of the minute of meeting of the Housing Committee of 15th May, 2006 and Article III of the minute of meeting of the Social Work Committee of 18th November 2002 which set out the charging policy. There was submitted Agenda Note AN183-2006 advising that COSLA in January 2006 had produced revised guidance on charging for non residential services including a recommendation that local authorities remove the exemption for people in receipt of housing benefit and receiving housing support services.

The Committee noted that the removal of this exemption would apply to new service users only and existing service users who currently enjoyed this exemption would continue to do so until they ceased receiving housing benefit.

Thereafter the Committee approved the removal of the exemption with effect from 22nd May 2006.

VII VOLUNTEER DRIVERS MILEAGE RATE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN179-2006 reporting that the Social Work Department relied on the assistance of volunteer drivers to carry out some of its functions. The mileage rate paid to these volunteers had remained unchanged while motoring costs had risen. As a result some volunteers had stopped their involvement with the Department, resulting in increased costs to pay staff to undertake transporting duties and loss of the valued additional contact that volunteers provide for service users.

The Committee agreed that the mileage rate payable to volunteer drivers be increased from 34p to 40p per mile, with effect from 1st June 2006.

VIII PROPERTY SURPLUS TO REQUIREMENTS - 29 HAPPYHILLOCK ROAD, DUNDEE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN180-2006 reporting that the property at 29 Happyhillock Road was held on the Social Work Department's account and that the property was now unoccupied.

The Committee agreed that the building be formally declared surplus to requirements and that it be remitted to the Director of Economic Development to dispose of the property.

IX TENDERS RECEIVED - BRUCE STREET FAMILY SUPPORT CENTRE - BOILER REPLACEMENT

There was submitted Report No 305-2006 by the City Architectural Services Officer giving details of offers received for boiler replacement at Bruce Street Family Support Centre.

The Committee agreed;

(i) to accept the lowest offer by Taylor Mechanical Services Limited, Dundee amounting to 49,082.45 together with allowances of 553.00 for Planning Supervisor and 7,864.00 for professional services making a total expenditure of 57,499.45; and

(ii) to note that Taylor Mechanical Services Limited had listed Bruce Jamieson Electrical Contractors, Dundee; RG Cumming, Dundee; Campbell Control Services, Bonnyrigg; Land & Building Services, Dundee and Angus Insulation Limited, Montrose as sub-contractors.

HELEN WRIGHT, Convener