The Chief Social Work Officer’s report for 2020-21 was approved at the Council meeting held on 23 September
The report provides a summary of the achievements and challenges of service provision in relation to:
- social work
- fostering and adoption
- child protection
- adult protection
- adults with incapacity
- mental health
- justice
It also gives an overview of regulation and inspection, performance and trends, workforce issues and social policy themes over the year, not least of all the significant impact of COVID-19 both in terms of the initial response requirements and longer term recovery implications.
Adult social work services
The critical role that Adult Social Work teams played in the establishment of the Community Assistance Hubs is just one example of the way in which services responded to the challenge. Not only did staff work to manage and maintain their existing caseloads, they were integral in providing information, guidance and virtual and face to face support to residents including unpaid carers and those shielding.
Aberlour Sustain Edge of Care project
Another is the Aberlour Sustain Edge of Care project, commissioned by us to provide support to families where children and young people are assessed as being on the edge of care. Every effort was made to engage with families positively, making full use of all virtual support options including MS Teams, text and telephone. As restrictions permitted, families engaged with garden visits, socially distanced walks and eventually home visits and family contact in person.
Strategic Care Home Oversight Group
At a strategic level, the establishment of the multi-agency Strategic Care Home Oversight Group is highlighted for the way in which it enabled partners to work together and take a coordinated approach to decision making and service delivery. This proved invaluable as a way dealing with an unprecedented range and volume of issues across the sector.
Public Protection Committee
Among the positive trends and achievements mentioned is the launch of combined Public Protection Committee in January 2020 with the successful realignment of governance, enhanced co-location arrangements and improved working practices being at the center of the changes. Significant progress has been made with Child Protection, Adult Protection and Domestic Abuse and Advocacy staff now working as part of the multi-agency Public Protection Services team with NHS Borders, Police Scotland and Third Sector colleagues.
Read the report
The report and accompanying papers are available from our website.
Councillor Tom Weatherston, Executive Member for Adult Wellbeing
“This report provides a comprehensive assessment of the provision of Social Work and Social Care services across the Borders over the past year, all of which have continued to be delivered despite the significant challenges that Covid-19 has presented to those involved.
“These are the services that support some of our most vulnerable residents, many of whom have experienced additional pressures as a result of the pandemic. We have also seen various new additional requests for support as residents were faced with challenges that they had never before experienced.
“Throughout all of this, staff teams across social work and social care have responded with considerable commitment and dedication, doing all they can to make sure that people are given the critical support they needed. This work is ongoing with staff continuing to go above and beyond and they deserve our deepest thanks and gratitude for all their efforts.
“We have also seen some tremendous examples of collaborative working between the Council, NHS Borders and other partner organisations including the Third and Private sectors. There have been significant benefits to this and it is encouraging to note that this work will not only continue but will be developed even further.”