UNISON Edinburgh Social Work External Audit Council Response

External Audit of Child Protection Services in Edinburgh

The motion below was carried by the City of Edinburgh Council on 19 August 2004 after a deputation by UNISON. The Labour motion had an addendum by the Liberal Democrats (to follow).

City of Edinburgh Council

LABOUR GROUP MOTION
FULL COUNCIL 19 AUGUST 2004

Item 8.2 External Audit of Child Protection Services in Edinburgh

The Council:
(1) thanks the External Audit and Review Team for its work;

(2) accepts those recommendations of the Team's Report
addressed to the Council;

(3) places on record its appreciation for the commitment, dedication and professionalism of social work staff throughout what has been a particularly difficult period in the aftermath of the O'Brien Report;

(4) notes that the report highlights a number of actions to be taken but does not identify any areas for action in terms of the immediate protection of children on the Child protection Register;

(5) agrees that the Council will now work with its key partners to agree a joint Action Plan to deliver the essential improvements which the Review Team has identified;

(6) notes that improvements, in line with the O'Brien Report Action Plan, have already been made;

(7) notes that further reports will be submitted to the Council in due course on this and future external audits of child protection services;

(8) notes the significant increase in Social Work funding within the Council in the current financial year and asks the Chief Executive to keep the position under review;

(9) invites the Review Team, led by Anne Black, to make a presentation to an early meeting of the (Executive of the Council, with Education functions - amended to say Social WorkGroup), to which the relevant Scrutiny Panel Conveners will also be invited,

(10) authorises the Chief Executive to identify capital funding of up to £100,000 to allow a scheme for minor upgrading of accommodation and equipment in Social Work Practice Team Offices and to report to the Executive meeting on 7 September on the early implementation of the scheme;

(11) asks the Chief Executive to make available the report of the
External Review Team to the Scottish Executive, COSLA
and all Scottish local authorities;

(12) asks the Chief Executive, in liaison with the Council's partner organisations, to report further on the integration of the various Action Plans relating to child protection;

(13) notes the concerns expressed in the Report about staff safety and asks the Interim Director of Social Work to report back with recommendations; and

(14) agrees to seek a further meeting, in conjunction with partner agencies, with the Minister for Education and Young People to review progress to date and consider national resource issues.

top