Health and Social Care Committee

Tuesday 15 March 2005 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Councillors Blair, Forbes, Gallacher, McKenzie, Moran, Nimmo, Robertson and Snoddy.

Chair:    Councillor Nimmo presided.

In attendance:  Chief Executive, Head of Community Care and Strategic Planning, Head of Social Work Services, Mr J Aird (for Head of Finance Services), Mr F Jarvie (for Head of Legal Services) and Mr A Gerrard (for Head of Property Services).

Apologies:  Councillor Mitchell.

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

248

Revenue Budget 2004/05 - Period 10

248

There was submitted a report dated 23 February 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services (1) on the position of the Social Work Revenue Budget 2004/05 as at Period 10 (31 January 2005) which showed a projected underspend of £57,000 and (2) requesting the Committee to agree a number of virement requests.

(Councillor Blair entered the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Decided:

(1)      that the current budget monitoring position for 2004/05 as at Period 10 be noted;  and

(2)      that the Social Work virement requests as detailed in appendix 2 to the report be approved.

249

Capital Programme 2004/05 to 2006/07

249

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive (1) on the progress of the Social Work Information System (SWIFT) funded from the Capital Programme, (2) outlining the programme for implementation and (3) providing financial information on expenditure to date.

Decided:

(1)      that the report be noted;  and

(2)      that progress reports be submitted to the Committee on a six monthly basis.

250

Consultation on the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act:  Response to the Draft Code of Practice

250

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive and the Director of Education Services (1) on the consultation process in respect of the draft Code of Practice relating to the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act and (2) seeking approval of a proposed response by Education Services.

Decided:  that approval be given to the response to the consultation on the draft Code of Practice relating to the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act as set out in the appendix to the report.

251

Protection of Vulnerable Adults/Inter Agency Policy and Procedures

251

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive on the inter agency policy and procedures for the protection of vulnerable adults developed in collaboration with Renfrewshire and Argyll & Bute Councils, NHS Argyll & Clyde and Strathclyde Police.

Decided:

(1)      that the inter agency policy and procedures for the protection of vulnerable adults as set out in the appendix to the report be adopted;

(2)      that implementation of the policy and procedures be remitted to the Head of Social Work Services;

(3)      that arrangements be made for the launch of the policy document and that this involve appropriate Members of the  Council;  and

(4)      that a progress report be submitted to the Committee in due course.

252

Community Reparation Order Pilot Scheme

252

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive (1) advising of the progress made towards implementation of the community reparation order pilot scheme reported to the Committee in October 2004 and (2) advising of the range of consultations undertaken prior to the introduction of the pilot scheme.

Decided:

(1)      that the progress made and consultations undertaken prior to the implementation of the community reparation order pilot scheme be noted;  and

(2)      that a report reviewing the operation of the pilot scheme be submitted to the Committee after the first year’s operation.

253

Homelessness Services - Provision of Furnishings and Fittings for Temporary Furnished Units

253

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive seeking approval to invite tenders for the provision of furniture and fittings for temporary furnished accommodation units.

Decided:  that approval be given to invite tenders for the provision of furniture and fittings for temporary furnished accommodation units in accordance with the Council’s Financial Regulations and Standing Orders relating to Contracts.

254

Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003

254

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive (1) advising of a six month postponement to 1 October 2005 of the implementation of the major parts of the Mental Health (Care & Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 and (2) requesting the Committee to approve action taken to prepare for the implementation of the new Act.

Decided:

(1)      that the Committee note the delayed implementation of the major parts of the Mental Health (Care & Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003;  and

(2)      that the Committee approve the action taken to prepare for the implementation of the new Act.

255

Scottish Executive Funding for Money Advice Services

255

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive advising of the decision of the Scottish Executive to award the Council £43,000 in each of the next three financial years in order to meet the additional statutory requirements in respect of the provision of money advice services and the anticipated increase in demand for these services.V

Decided:

(1)      that the report be noted and the proposed expansion of the money advice services be approved;

(2)      that it be remitted to the Head of Personnel Services to establish the appropriate grades for the posts outlined in the report;  and

(3)      that further reports be submitted to the Committee on the performance of the money advice services.

256

Anti-Social Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004 - Parenting Orders

256

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive advising of the establishment, on a pilot basis, of parenting orders as part of the Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy.  The report advised that the Scottish Executive had identified a sum of £21,000 for developments in the current financial year and a further £43,000 for 2005/06.

Decided:  that approval be given to the development of a local policy for the establishment of parenting orders within Inverclyde taking account of the national context and that this be encompassed within the Inverclyde Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy.

257

Authorised Providers List for Social Care Services

257

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive advising of amendments to the Authorised Providers List as set out in Rule 3 of the Procedures for Procurement of Social Care Services.

Decided:  that the amendments to the Authorised Providers List as detailed in the report be approved.

258

Revised Maintenance Rates

258

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive requesting the Committee to approve maintenance rates which reflect the weekly cost per person for permanent residents in registered residential establishments located both within and outwith Inverclyde.

Decided:

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

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

259

Minute of Meeting of Inverclyde Joint Care Board of 7 October 2004

259

There was submitted minute of the meeting of the Inverclyde Joint Care Board of 7 October 2004.

Approved

260

Home Care Review

260

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive (1) on the current position with regard to the review of home care services within Inverclyde, (2) advising of the current position and (3) setting out proposals for the future and the implications thereof.

Decided:

(1)      that the modernisation and development of care and support at home services be a priority for the Committee;

(2)      that approval be given to the options appraisal findings and that option 5 be adopted (further development of a “mixed economy” of provision);

(3)      that it be remitted to the Chief Executive to submit a further report outlining the options available to fund the revised management and organisational structure and the viability of full implementation;

(4)      that it be remitted to the Head of Personnel Services to revise the appropriate grades and establish the additional posts involved, subject to approval of the funding;  and

(5)      that the proposals be remitted to the Policy and Strategy Committee at the appropriate stage for approval of the change in policy and the financial implications thereof.

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 items on the grounds that the business involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the respective paragraphs of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act as are set opposite each item.

Item                                                                                                                            Paragraph(s)

Financial Implications of School Leavers                                                     3 and 8

Autistic Spectrum Disorder Pilot Service Development Proposal            3

Children (Scotland) Act 1995, Section 41 - Panel of Safeguarders           6

Children’s Hearings (Legal Representatives) (Scotland) Rules 2001 -

Panel of Legal Representatives                                                                     6

Social Work Complaints Review Committee -

List of Independent Persons                                                                          6

261

Financial Implications of School Leavers

261

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive informing the Committee of the costs which will arise in 2005 in implementing individual care plans to support young people with special needs to make a successful transition from school and children’s services to adult care services.

Decided:

(1)      that the report be noted and the actions identified to support the transition of the young people into appropriate adult services be endorsed;  and

(2)      that a further report be submitted to the Committee in October/November 2005 clarifying the position regarding access to Independent Living Fund monies and any further resource implications.

262

Autistic Spectrum Disorder Pilot Service Development Proposal

262

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive advising that the learning disabilities day opportunity service was developing, on a pilot basis, a satellite drop-in facility specifically designed for individuals who have autistic spectrum disorder.ÿ

Decided:  that the proposed pilot service development proposal be noted.

263

Children (Scotland) Act 1995, Section 41 - Panel of Safeguarders

263

There was submitted a report dated 1 March 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services seeking approval for the reappointment of individuals previously appointed by the Council as safeguarders for the purposes of children’s hearings and proceedings in the Sheriff Court.

Decided:

(1)      that agreement be given to the reappointment of the safeguarders listed in the appendix to the report from 1 April 2005 to 30 June 2008, subject to no subsequent adverse comments being received by the Head of Legal Services;  and

(2)      that authority be granted to the Head of Legal Services to approve any further appointments of safeguarders for 2005/2008 as necessary, subject to the applicants meeting the criteria set out in the report.

264

Children’s Hearings (Legal Representatives) (Scotland) Rules 2001 - Panel of Legal Representatives

264

There was submitted a report dated 1 March 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services seeking approval for the reappointment of individuals previously appointed by the Council as legal representatives to provide services required by children’s hearings.

Decided:

(1)      that agreement be given to the reappointment of the legal representatives listed in the appendix to the report for the period from 1 April 2005 to 30 June 2008, subject to no subsequent adverse comments being received by the Head of Legal Services;  and

(2)      that authority be granted to the Head of Legal Services to approve any further appointments for 2005/2008 as necessary, subject to the applicants meeting the criteria set out in the report.

265

Social Work Complaints Review Committee - List of Independent Persons

265

There was submitted a report dated 10 February 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services seeking approval for the reappointment of individuals previously appointed by the Council as Members of the Complaints Review Committee to consider and determine unresolved complaints regarding the delivery of social work services in Inverclyde.

Decided:  that approval be given to the reappointment of the independent persons detailed in the appendix to the report for the purposes of dealing with unresolved complaints under the Social Work (Representations Procedure) (Scotland) Directions 1996 and that for the period to 31 March 2008.