Health and Social Care Committee

Tuesday 30 August 2005 at 3.00 pm

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

Chair:    Councillor Nimmo presided.

In attendance:  Chief Executive, Head of Community Care & Strategic Planning, Head of Social Work Services, Head of Property Services, Mr F Jarvie (for Solicitor to the Council) and Mr M Thomson (for Chief Financial Officer).

Apologies:  Councillors Gallacher, Moran and Snoddy.

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

605

Revenue Budget 2005/06 - Period 4

605

There was submitted a report dated 10 August 2005 by the Chief Financial Officer on (1) the 2004/05 Revenue Budget out-turn position and (2) the position of the 2005/06 Revenue Budget as at Period 4 (31 July 2005).  The report advised that the total revised Social Work budget for 2005/06 was £33,491,000 prior to the addition of carry forward earmarked reserves and that the latest projection was on budget.

Noted

606

Capital Programme 2005/06 to 2007/08 - Social Work Information System (SWIFT)

606

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 further position statement be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee.

607

Revised Maintenance Rates

607

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 delegated authority be granted to the Head of Social Work Services to approve payments of maintenance rates, except in circumstances where the proposed charge is material to the provision of services or to the budget which will continue to be reported to the Committee for approval.

608

Authorised Providers List for Social Care Services

608

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive advising of amendments made to the Authorised Providers List between April and June 2005, as set out in Rule 3 of the Rules of Procedure for Procurement of Social Care Services.

Decided: 

(1)      that approval be given to the deletions from the Authorised Providers List as detailed in the report;

(2)      that provided the regulations so permit, delegated authority be granted to the Head of Community Care and Strategic Planning to approve amendments to the Authorised Providers List except in circumstances where the proposed change is material to the provision of services or to the budget which will continue to be reported to the Committee for approval; and

(3)      that subject to the proposal in (2) above being competent, an annual report be submitted to the Committee detailing amendments made to the Authorised Providers List during that period.

609

Memorandum of Understanding between the Care Commission and Inverclyde Council

609

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive on the Framework for the Memorandum of Understanding between the Care Commission and Inverclyde Council which sets out the working arrangements in the areas of interface between the Care Commission and the Council.

Decided:  that Inverclyde Council sign the Memorandum of Understanding with the Care Commission on the basis outlined in the report.

610

Getting It Right for Every Child - A Consultation Document

610

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive advising of the publication by the Scottish Executive of “Getting It Right for Every Child - Proposals for Action”, seeking views on proposed changes to the Children’s Hearing System and on ways to improve services for children.

Decided:

(1)      that approval be given to the development and submission of a response to the Scottish Executive on behalf of the Council;

(2)      that Elected Members consider the document and submit views or comments to the Head of Social Work Services for inclusion within the Council’s submission or if they wish, make individual submissions by completing the response section of the consultation document; and

(3)      to assist this process, it be remitted to the Head of Social Work Services to arrange a presentation on the proposals for all Members of the Council.

611

Child Protection Reform Programme - Child Protection Committee

611

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive advising of the changed format of the Inverclyde Child Protection Committee in line with the guidance issued by the Scottish Executive as a component of the Child Protection Reform Programme.

Decided:  that the Committee endorse the restructuring of the present Child Protection Committee as outlined in the report, in accordance with the Scottish Executive guidance.

612

Older People’s Integrated Services Resource Unit

612

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive on the progress being made towards the establishment of the Older People’s Integrated Services Resource Unit on the site of the former Hillend House, Greenock.

Decided:

(1)      that the report be noted; and

(2)      that arrangements be made for a formal launch of the new unit early in 2006, on a date to be agreed in consultation with the Convener.

613

Performance Inspection of Criminal Justice Social Work Services

613

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive (1) advising of the outcome of the recent performance inspection of the Criminal Justice Social Work Services by the Social Work Inspection Agency (SWIA) as part of a national programme of inspection and (2) appending an action plan to address the areas for improvement.

Decided: 

(1)      that the Committee note the contents of the performance inspection of the Criminal Justice Social Work Services carried out by the SWIA as set out in Appendix 1 to the report; and

(2)      that the action plan to address the areas for improvement contained within the inspection report as set out in Appendix 2 be endorsed.

614

Service Reviews for Housing Support Services

614

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive seeking approval of a draft process for Service Reviews relating to all Housing Support Services funded through Supporting People grant allocation.

Decided:  that the draft Service Review process for Housing Support Services detailed in the Appendix to the report be approved.

615

Homeless Service Improvement Plan

615

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive (1) on progress made in delivering the Improvement Plan for the Council’s Homeless Service and (2) outlining the actions to be achieved by March 2006.

Noted

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)

Children (Scotland) Act 1995 Section 41:  Panel of

Safeguarders - Suspension from Panel                                      6

Complaint in Respect of Social Work Functions                        3

616

Children (Scotland) Act 1995 Section 41:  Panel of Safeguarders - Suspension from Panel

616

There was submitted a report dated 20 July 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services seeking the approval of the Committee to suspend the appointment of 2 individuals previously appointed by the Council as Safeguarders for the purposes of Children’s Hearings and proceedings in the Sheriff Court.  The Committee agreed to the suspension, all as detailed in the Appendix.

617

Complaint - Social Work Functions

617

There was submitted a report dated 23 June 2005 by the Social Work - Complaints Review Committee advising of the outcome of a hearing held under the local authority complaints procedure in respect of social work functions.   The Committee noted the outcome of the hearing and approved action, all as detailed in the Appendix.