Social Work And Health Committee - 24/08/2009

At a MEETING of the SOCIAL WORK AND HEALTH COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 24th August, 2009.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Jim BARRIE, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 1st July, 2009 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I ROSENDAEL - ITEM AT REQUEST OF COUNCILLOR KEVIN KEENAN

There was submitted Agenda Note AN222-2009 reporting that this item had been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Keenan.

The Convener advised the Committee that discussions were continuing with the Scottish Veterans' Housing Association and a report would be submitted to the Policy and Resources Committee in due course.

In the meantime funding would continue.

The Committee noted the position.

II EXTENSION OF THE MACMILLAN TAYSIDE WELFARE BENEFITS PROJECT

There was submitted Report No 417-2009 by the Director of Social Work presenting a proposal to extend the Macmillan Tayside Welfare Benefits Project. Extension of the project would provide an opportunity for the three Tayside Local Authorities in conjunction with Macmillan Cancer Support to augment the current joint working arrangement in two ways, firstly by providing an additional specialist welfare benefits service within Ninewells Hospital for those living with a diagnosis of cancer, and secondly, by establishing a separate specialist Welfare Benefits Service for those with a diagnosis of selected long-term conditions.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to note the content of the report;

(ii) to welcome the extension of the joint working arrangement between Dundee City Council, Angus Council, Perth and Kinross Council and Macmillan Cancer Support; and

(iii) to instruct the Director of Social Work to take forward the staffing implications contained in the report.

III NATIONAL CARE HOME CONTRACT 2009/2010 - NOTIFICATION OF DEFAULT RATE

Reference was made to Article III of minute of meeting of this Committee of 27th April, 2009, wherein the outcome of negotiations between COSLA, the Scottish Government and care home providers in relation to the ongoing development of the National Care Home Contract was reported. The report outlined the fee levels for 2009/2010 as agreed through these negotiations and it was noted that the rate to be applied to care homes not meeting the required standards to qualify for additional payments (known as "Below the Contract Rate" or "Default Rate") had still to be agreed. There was submitted Agenda Note AN184-2009 reporting that COSLA had now agreed this rate with care home providers and the 2009/2010 rate per week to be applied was as follows:-

The Committee agreed to adopt these rates as outlined in the National Care Home Contract.

IV HEALTH WORKING LIVES AWARDS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN185-2009 reporting that Scotland's Health at Work (SHAW) was set up in September 1996. The Social Work Department achieved their Bronze SHAW Award in June 2004 and their Silver SHAW Award in April 2006. The scheme was re-launched as Healthy Working Lives (HWL) on April 2007 which meant the Social Work Department had to consolidate their previously achieved awards in order to achieve HWL awards. The HWL programme supported employers and employees in health promotion and safety themes in the workplace.

Work had been increased since January 2009 to consolidate both the Bronze and Silver Healthy Working Lives Awards. The Department was awarded the Bronze Award on 25th March, 2009 at the local Healthy Working Lives Award Ceremony and secured the Silver Healthy Working Lives Award on 16th June, 2009.

The consolidation of the Silver Award included work on:-

-          preventing accidents in the workplace

-          lifestyle checks for staff

-          mental wellbeing in the workplace

-          statements of intent on healthy eating and physical activity

Many of the activities were ongoing across the year, including health fayres, lifestyle checks and information on a variety of health issues. The Department also had individuals and groups of staff involved in jogging, hill walking and badminton which were outwith working hours.

The aim was to achieve the Gold Healthy Working Lives Award by the end of 2009. In order to achieve this, work was underway across the Department in relation to a three year strategy which would incorporate their current annual action plan and annual report. The strategy would go before the Social Work and Health Committee for approval. The Department would be working on specific areas including health promotion, employability, mental health and wellbeing and health and the environment.

The Committee noted the position.

V CHILDREN IN SCOTLAND CONFERENCE ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2009 - LIFE IN THE FAST LANE - THE ROAD TO BETTER OUTCOMES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN186-2009 reporting that this two day event was scheduled for 5th/6th November, 2009 at the Macdonald Crutherland House in East Kilbride.

Cost of attendance per delegate would be 301.50 excluding travel and subsistence allowances.

The Committee agreed that elected member representation at the conference be on the basis of one member of the Administration and one member of the Major Opposition Group.

Jim BARRIE, Convener.