Social Work And Health Committee - 25/02/2013

At a MEETING of the SOCIAL WORK AND HEALTH COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 25th February, 2013.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Ken LYNN, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 28th January, 2013 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

No declarations of interest were made.

II THE CHIEF SOCIAL WORK OFFICER ANNUAL REPORT 2012

There was submitted Report No 82-2013 by the Director of Social Work bringing forward for members' information and approval the Chief Social Work Officer's Annual Report for 2011/2012, which was attached to the report as Appendix 1.

The Committee agreed to note the Chief Social Work Officer's Annual Report for 2011/2012, which was attached to the report, including the summary extract on complaints for 2011, taken from the Annual Customer Care Officer Report attached at Appendix 2 of the report.

III KINSHIP CARE STRATEGY 2013/2018

There was submitted Report No 83-2013 by the Director of Social Work bringing forward for Committee approval the proposed Kinship Care Strategy which set the strategic direction for the development and delivery of services and supports to kinship carers, and the children for whom they provided care in Dundee.

An Executive Summary of the report was attached at Appendix 1 of the report for members' reference. The full report was also attached at Appendix 2 of the report.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to approve the report and the proposed Kinship Care Strategy as detailed in Appendix 2 and summarised in the Executive Summary at Appendix 1 of the report;

(ii) to remit the Director of Social Work to develop an action plan to support the implementation of the proposed Kinship Care Strategy; and

(iii) to remit the Director of Social Work to bring back a progress report to Committee in 12 months' time.

IV SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT SERVICE PLAN

There was submitted Report No 84-2013 by the Director of Social Work recommending the approval of the Social Work Department Service Plan which was appended to the report.

The Committee agreed to note the report and approve the plan which was attached to the report.

V ADOPTION SERVICE PLAN 2013/2016

There was submitted Report No 81-2013 by the Director of Social Work providing the proposed Adoption Service Plan 2013/2016, which was attached to the report as Appendix 1. It was reported that the local authority was required to prepare and publish a plan for the provision of the adoption service in its area under Section 4 of the Adoption and Children (Scotland) Act 2007.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to note the content of the report and approve the Plan; and

(ii) to note the Adoption Service Plan built on existing good practice and provided a clear framework for service development focused on improving positive outcomes for Dundee's children.

VI DUNDEE JOINT STRATEGIC AND COMMISSIONING STATEMENT FOR OLDER PEOPLE

There was submitted Report No 88-2013 by the Director of Social Work seeking approval for the Dundee Joint Strategic and Commissioning Statement for Older People, which was attached to the report as Appendix 1.

The Committee agreed to endorse the Dundee Joint Strategic and Commissioning Statement for Older People which was appended to the report.

VII RESPONSE TO COMPLAINT MADE TO CARE INSPECTORATE ABOUT KEMBACK RESOURCE CENTRE

There was submitted Report No 93-2013 by the Director of Social Work briefing members of the Committee on the actions planned in response to a complaint made to the Care Inspectorate about Kemback Resource Centre.

Thereafter, Councillor Lynn, seconded by Councillor Ross, moved:-

(i) to note the response made to the complaint to the Care Inspectorate about Kemback Resource Centre as outlined in the report; and

(ii) to carry out a fresh consultation regarding the future of Kemback Street Resource Centre.

As an amendment, Bailie Wright, seconded by Councillor McCready, moved:-

2.1 Council instruct the Chief Executive to write to the service users, their families and carers who are encompassed within Report No 409-2012 submitted to the Social Work and Health Committee on 29th October, 2012 giving each and everyone an unreserved apology on behalf of the Council.

2.2 That members of the Committee note the Report.

2.3 A further report should be brought back to this Committee when Council have had time to establish the potential outcomes of any pending Judicial Review.

2.4 Any future consultation, with the above client group must be carried out in a correct and appropriate manner. This process should not start prior to February, 2014 and it must be over-seen by the Chief Executive himself or another completely independent organisation.

2.5 Council must accept that relationships with the service users and their families have been damaged and that every effort must be made to re-build trust.

2.6 Regular satisfaction survey should be submitted to Committee so that Committee can be kept up-to-speed with progress.

On a division, there voted for the motion - Councillors Lynn, Guild, Alexander, Black, Bowes, Campbell, Cordell, Dawson, Hunter, McDonald, Melville, Murray, Ross, Macpherson, Lord Provost Duncan, Depute Lord Provost Roberts and Bailies Sawers and Scott (18); and for the amendment - Councillors Asif, Bidwell, Brennan, Cruickshank, Ferguson, Gordon, McCready, McGovern and Bailies Wright, and Borthwick (10) - whereupon the motion was declared carried.

VIII MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS IN SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT

Reference was made to Article II of the minute of meeting of this Committee held on 28th January, 2013, wherein the secondment of the Director of Social Work to the post of Chief Social Work Advisor for the Scottish Government was agreed.

There was submitted Report No 90-2013 by the Director of Social Work (Designate) seeking approval for changes to the management arrangements within the Social Work Department arising from the secondment of the Director of Social Work to the post of Chief Social Work Advisor for the Scottish Government.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to the move of the current Head of Community Care Services, Ms Laura Bannerman, to the post of Head of Strategic Integration, Performance and Support Services, with deputising duties for the Director of Social Work; and

(ii) to arrangements being put in place to appoint an Acting Head of Community Care Services and further steps being taken to cover the post of the successful applicant.

Ken LYNN, Convener.