Social Services, Housing and Benefits Select Minutes

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES, HOUSING AND BENEFITS SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON WEDNESDAY, 7 AUGUST 2002 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM

Present :

Mr I R Stephens (Chairman), Mr A C Bartlett, Mrs T M Butchers, Mrs B D Clough, Mr C R Hancock, Mrs E Oulton, Mr G P Price, Mr R C Richards, Mr D G Williams

Apologies :

Mrs D Gardiner, Mr G S Kendall

Portfolio Holder :

Mr R G Mazillius

Also Present (Non-voting) :

Mr J A Bowker

25. MINUTES

RESOLVED :

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 3 July 2002 be confirmed.

26. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations made at this stage.

27. PRESENTATION - AGE CONCERN

The Chairman welcomed Felicity Booker, Director of Age Concern on the Island, to the meeting. Mrs Booker outlined the background to the establishment, just after the second world war, of what was to become Age Concern. The County branch supported six community based groups on the Island. It had 8 staff, 3 full time and 5 part time, with 60 volunteers. Through the assistance of the Council it was located at Pyle Street, Newport. Part of its core service was to provide information and advice. This was done through its office in Newport and outreach offices in Ryde, Shanklin and East Cowes together with a mobile service. Mrs Booker explained the success that the brach was having in gaining welfare benefits and appropriate attendance allowances.

The Select Committee was told of the various projects undertaken by Age Concern. Mrs Booker raised her concern that many of these were funded on a time limited basis by agencies. The branch did have its own Projects Funding Officer specialising in identifying appropriate financial assistance from the National Lottery Board, Single Regeneration Budget and Trusts. Members noted that the Council had agreed to provide core funding of £60,000 over a three year period. This expired in 2003 and there was a need for Age Concern to have an early commitment so that it could continue to operate at its present level.

RESOLVED :

THAT Mrs Booker be thanked for her interesting presentation.

28. SELECT COMMITTEE WORKPLAN

The Head of Select Committee and Best Value Support referred to the Committee’s workshop held on 6 June 2002 when consideration was given to the work programme for the coming year. Members were reminded of the Service Plans and Best Value Improvement Plans that would be included. The workplan also took into account the two Task Groups, Communications/ICT and Recruitment and Retention of Child Care Social Workers.

To assist the Select Committee in gaining a better understanding of the challenges faced by the Directorate’s staff a number of fact finding visits were proposed. This would also include discussions with the Primary Care Trust on the development of shared resources. Members raised the possibility of a visit to an Islecare establishment.

RESOLVED :

THAT the draft workplan, with the inclusion of a visit to an Islecare establishment, be approved.

29. PRESENTATION BY THE IW FOSTER CARERS ASSOCIATION

The Chairman welcomed Mr and Mrs Hatcher of the Isle of Wight Foster Carers Association to the meeting.

Mr M Hatcher expressed the Association’s concerns as to the number of members being lost to mainland agencies. This was due to the package of support offered by agencies being a higher standard than that provided by the Council. He indicated that the fees paid to foster carers were generally sufficient but there were difficulties with access to therapy services, respite care and the out of hours service.

Mrs J Hatcher outlined problems that had been encountered by one foster carer involved with a child with special needs. As the result of the Council not being able to provide the level of support required the child was placed by a mainland agency at a greater cost. There was a general feeling that the Council’s systems were too bureaucratic and time consuming putting many prospective foster carers off. Additionally Mr and Mrs Hatcher believed that more could be done to ensure there was an effective out of hours support provision.

The Strategic Director indicated that some difficulties were being encountered with the recruitment of trained social workers and therapists. There were certain procedures that the Council had to ensure were complied with. He was concerned that carers were being lost to mainland agencies and would look at the packages being offered. It was noted by members that the select Committee would be considering a report on the Service Plan for Children’s Services at the September meeting.

RESOLVED :

THAT Mr and Mrs Hatcher be thanked for their presentation.

30. REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL SERVICES AND HOUSING

(a) Implementing the Caldicott Standards into Social Care

The Strategic Director reported on the Council’s statutory duties arising from the implementation of the Caldicott Standards. The Select Committee was advised of the background to these which arose form the Alder Hey enquiry. Local authorities had to appoint a Caldicott Guardian who would be responsible for overseeing the compliance with the management of information and confidentiality within Social Services and protocols with the NHS and other agency partners.

An explanation was given of the type of information included within process and the other legislation that had to be taken into account. The Council’s actions would be monitored by the Social Services Inspectorate.

RESOLVED :

THAT the report be noted and a position statement and review of process be presented to the Select Committee on an annual basis.

(b) Policy, Performance and Resource Services - Social Services and Housing Directorate

Consideration was given by the Select Committee to the Service Plan element for the Policy, Performance and Resources Section of the Directorate. The Head of the Section reported on the aims, objectives, tasks and targets for 2002/03.

Members noted that an Annual Report was produced on the work of the complaints and service user rights section. This could be submitted to the Select Committee and provide an opportunity to scrutnise this area of the Directorate.

The Head of Policy, Performance and Resource Services indicated that further discussions had recently been held with the Head of ICT on a strategy for the Directorate on appropriate computer systems and some progress was being made.

RESOLVED :

THAT the service plan for Policy, Performance and Resource Services be noted.

The Strategic Director reported on the latest revenue and capital budget position. This indicated that it was likely that revenue expenditure would be within the estimated provision.

Members expressed some concern as to the lack of clarity in the format and requested that officers investigate where improvements in the delivery of information could be made.

RESOLVED :

THAT the report be noted.

CHAIRMAN