Health and Social Care Committee

Tuesday 10 May 2005 at 3.00 pm

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

Chair:    Councillor Nimmo presided.

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

Apologies:  Councillors Gallacher, Mitchell and Moran.

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

424

Capital Programme 2004/05 to 2006/07 - Social Work Information System (SWIFT)

424

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive (1) on the progress of the Social Work Information System (SWIFT), (2) setting out the financial position and (3) providing information on the relocation of the SWIFT project team.

Decided:

(1)      that the report be noted;  and

(2)      that a position statement be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee.

425

Service Plan - Social Work Services 2005/2006

425

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive on the 2005/2006 Service Plan for Social Work Services which had been issued separately to Members.

The Head of Community Care & Strategic Planning advised the Committee that she would arrange to hold informal information sessions for Members on any aspects of the Service Plan if this was wished.

Decided:  that the Committee note and approve the contents of the 2005/2006 Service Plan for Social Work Services.

426

Foster Care and Other Care Allowances

426

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive seeking approval of an increase in the rate of allowances paid to foster parents, linked carers and adoptive parents.

Decided:

(1)      that approval be given to the new rates of allowances for 2005/2006 as contained in the report;

(2)      that in future years, determination of the annual increase in such allowances be delegated to the Head of Social Work Services;  and

(3)      that the appreciation of the Committee be conveyed to foster parents and other carers of young people who are looked after away from home.

427

Revised Maintenance Rates

427

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 outwith Inverclyde.

Decided:

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

(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;  and

(3)      that it be remitted to the Chief Executive to submit a report on the overall financial framework and the range of services provided at the various establishments used by the Council.

428

Criminal Justice Throughcare Service

428

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive (1) providing an update on the Criminal Justice Throughcare Service and (2) seeking approval for expansion of the Service.

Decided:

(1)      that agreement be given to the expansion of the Criminal Justice Throughcare Service to meet demand;  and

(2)      that it be remitted to the Head of Social Work Services and Head of Personnel Services to establish one post of qualified Social Worker to facilitate the development of the service and maintain responsibility for supervision of offenders in the community.

429

Hospital Reprovisioning Tender

429

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive seeking approval to commence the tendering process for a specialist provider who will undertake the care and support of the remaining long-stay patients being discharged from Merchiston Hospital.

Decided:  that approval be given to commencing the tendering process once funding negotiations with NHS Argyll & Clyde have been satisfactorily concluded.

430

People Delayed Inappropriately in Hospital Beds (Delayed Discharges)

430

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive providing an update on year-end progress in reducing the number of people delayed inappropriately in hospital beds after they have been deemed clinically fit for discharge.

Decided:

(1)      that the progress made in 2004/05 be noted;  and

(2)      that support be given to the ongoing work to reduce the number of delayed discharges.

431

Authorised Providers List for Social Care Services

431

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive recommending approval of a proposed amendment to the accreditation criteria for inclusion within the Authorised Providers List in terms of  Rule 2 of the Procedures for Procurement of Social Care Services.

Decided:  that approval be given to the amendment to the accreditation criteria for inclusion within the Authorised Providers List as set out in the report.

432

Authorised Providers List for Social Care Services - Amendments

432

There was submitted a report by the  Chief Executive advising of amendments to the Authorised Providers List in terms of 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.

433

Report on Homeless Strategy 2004/05

433

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive (1) advising of the progress made in achieving the objectives outlined within the Council's Homeless Strategy 2004/05 and (2) requesting approval of a Local Outcome Agreement.

Decided:  that the Progress Report 2004/05 and the Local Outcome Agreement 2005/06 as set out in appendices 1 and 2 respectively be approved for submission to the Scottish Executive.

434

Homeless Service - Draft Response to Scottish Executive Consultation on  Regulation under Section 7 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001

434

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive seeking approval of a draft response by Inverclyde Council to the consultation on regulation under Section 7 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 - Rights and Responsibilities in  Temporary Accommodation.

Decided:  that approval be given to the draft response to the consultation document detailed in the appendix to the report.

The Convener being of the opinion that the undernoted report by the Chief Executive was relevant, competent and urgent moved its consideration to allow the Committee to be advised of the closure of Beach House Care Home and its impact on the Council at the earliest opportunity.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

435

Closure of Beach House Care Home, Skelmorlie

435

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive advising of the closure of Beach House Care Home, Skelmorlie and the impact on the Council’s services and resources.

Decided:

(1)      that the Committee note the circumstances surrounding the closure of Beach House Care Home and the consequent effect on the provision of services and resources;

(2)      that priority be given to the resettlement of the 21 Inverclyde residents of Beach House Care Home;

(3)      that contingency resources be made available in consultation with the Director of Corporate Services to enable the necessary action to be taken by Social Work Services;  and

(4)      that a further report be submitted to the Committee in six months’ time outlining the progress made.

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)

Tenancies for Individuals with Korsakoff Psychosis:

Commissioning and Contracting Arrangements                        3

Provision of Independent Travel Training Services for

Adults with Learning Disabilities                                                  6, 8 and 9

Individual Case Audit                                                                     3, 7 and 14

436

Tenancies for Individuals with Korsakoff Psychosis:  Commissioning and Contracting Arrangements

436

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the commissioning and contracting arrangements for the provision of tenancies for individuals with Korsakoff Psychosis following the decision of the Committee at its meeting on 18 January 2005 (Para 56).  The Committee agreed to note the report and remit it to the Chief Executive to submit a further report on progress within the next 12 months, all as detailed in the appendix.

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

437

Provision of Independent Travel Training Services for Adults with Learning Disabilities

437

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive (1) advising of the termination on 31 March 2005 of the current contract for the provision of independent travel training services for adults with learning disabilities and (2) outlining the proposed arrangements for continuation of the service.

Decided:

(1)      that the Committee approve the proposal for an experienced manager from the Outreach Service to train all relevant staff to provide independent travel training where required for service users as an integral part of the service provision and also to offer training to any contracted providers and Glenburn School as required in order that they can provide their own service;  and

(2)      that it be noted that the staffing implications will be addressed by the Head of Personnel Services under delegated powers.

438

Individual Case Audit

438

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive on a direction from the Minister for Justice that processes be put in place for the audit and review of arrangements for the supervision of medium and high risk sex offenders.å

Decided:

(1)      that the Committee endorse the initiation of the audit and review of practice;  and

(2)      that consideration be given to the findings of the report to be submitted to the various inspectorates in September 2005.