Adult Social Services: Personalisation / Self Direct Support:
There will be many challenges ahead for members who provide services to the Vulnerable Adults of Barnsley.
Our ‘customers’ will now have choice and control over their own support arrangements therefore this will mean some radical changes to our present processes and culture.
Unison will be involved in consultations to establish a full range in-house of support services in response to changes in our customers’ demands within an evolving and developing market place.
We must resist all attempts to externalise services.
Agency Staff:
Discussions are still ongoing regarding the use of agency staff within Adult Social Services.
Apart from ‘L.D. - Supported Living’ and the ‘Asylum Team’ the use is minimal providing temporary cover only.
The problems within the Supported Living Service were mainly due to local management’s interpretation of the European Working Time Directive which has now been amicably resolved and absence of any bank/casual employees which should be addressed (hopefully) shortly following a pending Cabinet Report.
Independent Living at Home Service (Home Care + Central Call):
‘Consultation Meetings’ are presently taking place with staff members and trade unions regarding the proposed restructure and future development of this service.
New draft Job Descriptions are being discussed with the staff concerned.
Social Work Family – Project Group:
I recently attended the first meeting of the above group whose remit is to look at Social Workers, Care Managers ‘core roles’ including job descriptions and employee specifications with a view to formulating a clear framework to career progression similar to the ones adopted by CYP&F.
Children, Young People and Families (CYP&F):
General:
A restructure/reconfiguration of the CYP&F Directorate (which was created in April 07) is presently taking place with a proposed reduction in Senior Management posts and a ‘layering’ of the structure designed to deliver cost and services efficiencies?
My particular area comes under the leadership of Assistant Executive Director – Hilary Owen and is named: Safeguarding, Health & Social Care with Anne Lewis, Pat Stansfield and Ray Woodhams as the various Departmental Heads.