Health and Social Care Committee

Tuesday 26 October 2004 at 3.00 pm

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

Chair:    Councillor Nimmo presided.

In attendance:  Chief Executive, Mr F Jarvie (for Director of Legal & Support Services), Head of Financial Services, Head of Social Work Services, Head of Community Care & Strategic Planning 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.

748

Community Health Partnership

748

The Committee heard a presentation by Ms Beth Culshaw, Service General Manager, Primary Care, NHS Argyll & Clyde on the background to and arrangements being put in place for the establishment of Community Health Partnerships with specific reference to the position in Inverclyde.

Following the presentation, Ms Culshaw answered a number of questions during which she indicated the intention to arrange a workshop session to provide further information to Elected Members.  Ms Culshaw then left the meeting.

749

Revenue Budget 2004/05 - Period 6

749

There was submitted a report dated 20 October 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services (1) on the position of the Social Work Revenue Budget 2004/05 as at period 6 (30 September 2004) and (2) advising of a projected underspend of £123,000.

Decided:

(1)        that the current budget monitoring position for 2004/05 as at Period 6 be noted;

(2)        that the Social Work virement request as detailed in Appendix 2 to the report be approved; and

(3)        that a report be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee on the position with regard to the proposed adaptation of the Boglestone Library.

750

Social Work Capital Programme 2004/05 to 2006/07

750

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work Services on the progress of the Social Work Capital Programme 2004/05 to 2006/07.

Noted

751

Revised Maintenance Rates

751

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 detailed in the Appendix to the report; 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.

752

Policy and Procedural Guidance - Governance Arrangements

752

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work Services (1) on the new governance arrangements for the development of Social Work Services policy and procedures and (2) seeking approval for the adoption of these arrangements and specifically (a) an Equalities Policy and (b) the Policy and Procedures for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults.

Decided: 

(1)        that approval be given to the adoption of:

(a)        the Social Work Services guidelines for the development of policy and procedures;

(b)        the Equalities Policy;

(c)        the Policy and Procedures for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults, all as detailed in the Appendix to the report; and

(2)        that further policies and procedures be developed in accordance with the guidelines and implemented without further reference to the Committee.

753

East Renfrewshire, Inverclyde and Renfrewshire Councils’ Criminal Justice Strategic Plan 2005-2006

753

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work Services (1) appending the East Renfrewshire, Inverclyde and Renfrewshire Councils’ Inter Authority Criminal Justice Strategic Plan 2005 - 2006 and (2) requesting the Committee to approve the plan.

Decided: 

(1)        that approval be given to the East Renfrewshire, Inverclyde and Renfrewshire Councils’ Inter Authority Criminal Justice Strategic Plan 2005-2006 detailed in the Appendix to the report; and

(2)        that a short presentation be made to Members at the time of submission of the Strategic Plan for 2006 - 2007.

754

Foster Carers Handbook

754

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work Services (1) advising of the production of a Handbook for Foster Carers and (2) seeking approval for the issue of the Handbook.

Decided:

(1)        that the Committee endorse the production of the Foster Carers Handbook and approve the issuing of the Handbook to all foster carers in Inverclyde; and

(2)        that the Committee acknowledge the important role played by foster carers in the care of children and young people for whom the Council has a parental responsibility.

755

Criminal Justice Throughcare

755

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work Services (1) advising of an allocation of £93,256 from the Scottish Executive for Phase 2 of the Throughcare Programme for released prisoners and (2) seeking approval for the establishment of an enhanced service provision to meet the needs of such prisoners.@

Decided: 

(1)        that the Committee note the allocation of grant from the Scottish Executive;

(2)        that agreement be given to the establishment of 3 unqualified Social Work posts as part of the Throughcare Team within the Criminal Justice Social Work Service; and

(3)        that it be remitted to the Director of Corporate Services to determine appropriate grades for the posts and to submit the proposals to the Best Value & Corporate Services Committee for approval.

756

Community Reparation Orders:  Pilot Scheme

756

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work Services advising that Inverclyde had been selected as one of three pilot sites across Scotland for the establishment, for an initial period of 2 years, of a Community Reparation Orders Scheme in terms of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2004.

(Councillor Gallacher left the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Decided:

(1)        that the Committee acknowledge the development of the pilot scheme; and

(2)        that it be remitted to the Director of Corporate Services to make arrangements for the establishment of the temporary staffing resources required to carry out the new duties.

757

Complaints

757

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work Services (1) advising of key activities carried out in relation to complaints investigations by Social Work Services under the Statutory Complaints Framework and (2) providing details of (a) complaints recorded from April 2003 to March 2004, (b) a quarterly report detailing complaints from April to June 2004, (c) future reporting arrangements and (d) the remit of the Working Group currently reviewing complaint procedures.  (Councillor Gallacher returned to the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Noted

758

Supporting People Programme Update

758

There was submitted replacement report by the Director of Social Work Services providing an update on issues relating to the Supporting People Programme.

Decided:

(1)        that the report be noted;

(2)        that the grant funding provided by the Scottish Executive for the Supporting People Programme be noted; and

(3)        that it be remitted to the Director of Corporate Services to take any necessary action in relation to the establishment and grading of any additional post required, to be met from within the existing staffing budget for the Supporting People Unit.

759

Minute of Meeting of Inverclyde Joint Care Board of 16 June 2004

759

There was submitted minute of the meeting of Inverclyde Joint Care Board of 16 June 2004.

Approved