Health and Social Care Committee

Tuesday, 11 May 2004 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Councillors Forbes, Gallacher, Hill, McKenzie, Mitchell, Nimmo, Robertson, Snoddy and Stewart.

Chair:    Councillor Nimmo presided.

In attendance:  Ms L Brabender (for Director of Legal & Support Services), Director of Social Work Services, Head of Financial Services and Head of Property Services.

Apologies: Councillor Moran.

The following paragraphs are submitted for information only, having been dealt with under the powers delegated to the Committee.

   349

Revised Maintenance Rates for Establishments Outwith Inverclyde

349

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work Services requesting the Committee to approve maintenance rates which reflect the weekly cost per person for permanent residents in registered residential establishments located outwith Inverclyde.

Decided: 

(1)   that the Committee note the establishments where persons from Inverclyde reside as appropriate; and

(2)   that the recommended rates be approved in order that the Director of Social Work Services may make appropriate payments in the event of residential placements being made.

   350

Procedures for the Fostering Resources Panel and the Adoption and Permanency Panel

350

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work Services appending draft policies and procedures for the Fostering Resources Panel and the Adoption and Permanency Panel. 

Decided:  that the policies and procedures for the Fostering Resources Panel and the Adoption and Permanency Panel as set out in Appendices 1 and 2 respectively be noted and implemented by the Council.

   351

Social Work Service Plan 2004/2005

351

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work Services seeking approval of the Social Work Service Plan for 2004/2005.

Decided:  that the Committee approve for its interest the Social Work Service Plan 2004/2005 and that this be referred to the Best Value & Corporate Services Committee for consideration and approval.

   352

Inverclyde Full Local Partnership Agreement

352

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work Services providing an update on the progression from the Full Local Partnership Agreement, which was tabled in May 2003, to the Extended Local Partnership Agreement in its current form.

Decided:  that the Committee approve the Extended Local Partnership Agreement document and support the ongoing development of the Joint Future Agenda.

   353

Homeless Service

353

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work Services advising of the progress made in the restructuring, reconfiguration and funding of the Council’s Homeless Service.

Decided:

(1)   that the Committee agree to the establishment of the additional posts within the Homeless Service as detailed in the report and its Appendix; and

(2)   that the proposed posts including the appropriate grades be referred to the Best Value & Corporate Services Committee for approval.

   354

Impact of Supporting People Programme

354

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work Services (1) on the impact of the Supporting People Programme on the Local Authority and (2) seeking approval of the Supporting People Budget for 2004/2005.

Decided:

(1)   that the report be noted; and

(2)   that the Supporting People Budget for 2004/2005 detailed in Appendix 1 to the report be approved.

   355

Redholm: Inspection by the Care Commission

355

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work Services on the report produced by the Care Commission following an inspection of the residential child care unit at Redholm, Port Glasgow on 17 March 2004.

Decided:

(1)   that the Committee note the positive inspection report received and the contribution made by staff members towards providing a good environment for young people accommodated in the unit; and

(2)   that approval be given to a one hour information seminar on the role of the Care Commission in relation to Social Work Services.

   356

Social Work Capital Programme 2004/2005 - 2006/2007

356

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work Services on the progress of the Social Work Capital Programme 2004/2005-2006/2007.

Noted

   357

Direct Payments

357

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work Services providing an update on progress made in the provision of direct payments since the report to the Committee in June 2003.

Decided:

(1)   that the Committee note the progress made in the implementation of the direct payments scheme; and

(2)   that the Committee note the Scottish Executive’s extension to the timetable for rolling out direct payments to other community care and children’s services client groups.

   358

Community Health Partnerships - Consultation Paper

358

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work Services (1) on the proposed development of Community Health Partnerships and (2) identifying the key areas of partnership working within the proposals.

Noted

The Convener being of the opinion that the undernoted report by the Director of Social Work Services was relevant, competent and urgent moved its consideration to allow the Committee to consider proposed increases in the rates for residential and nursing and other care homes at the earliest opportunity.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

   359

Revised Maintenance Rates - Residential, Nursing and Other Care Homes

359

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work Services advising of revised maintenance rates for residential, nursing and other care homes funded by Inverclyde Council.

Decided:  that the increase in rates for residential, nursing and other care homes from 1 April 2004 as set out in Appendix 1 to the report be approved.

The Convener being of the opinion that the undernoted report by the Director of Social Work Services was relevant, competent and urgent moved its consideration to allow the Committee to consider at the earliest opportunity proposed action resulting from the report by the Mental Welfare Commission and the Scottish Social Work Services Inspectorate into the learning disabilities service within Scottish Borders Council.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

   360

Social Work Services Inspectorate and Mental Welfare Commission - Report into the Scottish Borders Case

360

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work Services (1) on the findings of a report by the Mental Welfare Commission and the Social Work Services Inspectorate into the learning disabilities service within Scottish Borders Council and (2) requesting the Committee to authorise action resulting from the report.

Decided: 

(1)   that approval be given to the Audit of Learning Disability Services in conjunction with NHS Argyll & Clyde as detailed in the report and that a further report setting out the findings of the Audit be submitted to the Committee later in the year; and

(2)   that the Corporate Management Team be advised of the Committee’s concerns regarding the implications of the report for staffing requirements within this area of Social Work Services.

It was agreed in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 as amended that the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following item on the grounds that the business involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act.

   361

Residential Care for Children and Young People in Inverclyde

361

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work Services on the current position with regard to the residential care of children and young people in Inverclyde provided in the units at Crosshill and Redholm, Port Glasgow and Neil Street, Greenock.

Decided:

(1)   that the current position with regard to the residential care provided within the Units at Crosshill and Redholm, Port Glasgow and Neil Street, Greenock be noted and that the work being carried out by residential staff to sustain the children and young people who are currently accommodated be commended;

(2)   that the Committee note the current constraints due to the lack of purpose built accommodation and that the Corporate Management Team be advised of the Committee’s wish for works to provide more appropriately sized accommodation to be placed on the Capital Plan; and

(3)   that approval be given to a review of the fostering and adoption policy.