Agenda Document Pack - Equal Opportunities Forum - 30/11/2022
South Lanarkshire Council · 30 November 2022
Back to Equal Opportunities Forum — 30 November 2022 and its agenda
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Council Offices, Almada Street Hamilton, ML3 0AA Tuesday, 22 November 2022 Dear Councillor Equal Opportunities Forum The Members listed below are requested to attend a meeting of the above Forum to be held as follows:- Date: Wednesday, 30 November 2022 Time: 14:00 Venue: Hybrid - Council Chamber, Council Offices, Almada Street, Hamilton, ML3 0AA The business to be considered at the meeting is listed overleaf. Yours sincerely Cleland Sneddon Chief Executive Members Mo Razzaq (Chair), Mark McGeever (Depute Chair), Janine Calikes, Ross Clark, Poppy Corbett, Grant Ferguson, Monique McAdams, Kirsten Robb, Dr Ali Salamati, Bert Thomson Substitutes Mathew Buchanan, Gavin Keatt, Richard Lockhart, Katy Loudon, Carol Nugent, Norman Rae 1
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BUSINESS 1 Declaration of Interests 2 Minutes of Previous Meeting Minutes of the meeting of the Equal Opportunities Forum held on 21 September 2022 submitted for approval as a correct record. (Copy attached) 3 - 6 Item(s) for Consideration 3 Annual Report on Mainstreaming Equalities and Diversity – Social Work Resources 2021/2022 Report dated 1 November 2022 by the Director, Health and Social Care. (Copy attached) 7 - 18 4 Inclusion as Prevention Presentation by D Dobbie, Service Manager (Children and Justice), Social Work Resources 5 Forward Programme for the Equal Opportunities Forum Verbal update by G Bhatti, Employee Development and Diversity Manager (Finance and Corporate Resources) Urgent Business 6 Urgent Business Any other items of business which the Chair decides are urgent. For further information, please contact:- Clerk Name: Elizabeth-Anne McGonigle Clerk Telephone: 07385403101 Clerk Email: elizabeth-anne.mcgonigle@southlanarkshire.gov.uk 2
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EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FORUM Minutes of meeting held via Confero and in the Council Chamber, Council Offices, Almada Street, Hamilton on 21 September 2022 Chair: Councillor Mo Razzaq (after item 2) Councillors Present: Councillor Janine Calikes, Councillor Ross Clark, Councillor Poppy Corbett, Councillor Grant Ferguson, Councillor Mark McGeever (Depute – after item 3), Councillor Kirsten Robb, Councillor Dr Ali Salamati, Councillor Bert Thomson, Councillor Gavin Keatt (substitute for Councillor Monique McAdams) Councillor’s Apology: Councillor Monique McAdams Attending: Finance and Corporate Resources A Bell, Team Leader, Consultation, Organisational Development and Equality; G Cochran, Administration Assistant; E A McGonigle, Administration Officer; P MacRae, Administration Adviser; K McVeigh, Head of Personnel Services Housing and Technical Resources J Read, Strategy and Policy Adviser Also Attending: M Kennedy, Chair of the Joint Consultative Forum; K Wallace, Unite the Union 1 Declaration of Interests No interests were declared. 2 Appointment of Chair Councillor Clark, seconded by Councillor Salamati, moved that Councillor Calikes be appointed as Chair of the Equal Opportunities Forum. Councillor Thomson, seconded by Councillor McGeever, moved as an amendment that Councillor Razzaq be appointed as Chair of the Equal Opportunities Forum. Prior to the vote, and as requested by a member, each candidate outlined the qualities they would bring to the role of Chair. On a vote being taken electronically, 5 members voted for the motion and 5 for the amendment. As the vote was tied, the appointment of Councillor Razzaq as Chair of the Equal Opportunities Forum was decided by a cut of a standard pack of playing cards. The Forum decided: that Councillor Razzaq be appointed as Chair of the Equal Opportunities Forum 3 Appointment of Depute Chair Councillor Clark, seconded by Councillor Salamati, moved that Councillor Calikes be appointed as Depute Chair of the Equal Opportunities Forum. 2 3
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Councillor Razzaq, seconded by Councillor Thomson, moved as an amendment that Councillor McGeever be appointed as Depute Chair of the Equal Opportunities Forum. On a vote being taken electronically, 5 members voted for the motion and 5 for the amendment. On the casting vote of the Chair, Councillor McGeever was appointed as Depute Chair of the Equal Opportunities Forum. The Forum decided: that Councillor McGeever be appointed as Depute Chair of the Equal Opportunities Forum 4 Working Together With Our Gypsy/Traveller Community J Read, Strategy and Policy Adviser, Housing and Technical Resources gave a presentation on Working Together With Our Gypsy/Traveller Community. The Council had 2 Gypsy/Traveller sites which were constructed over 30 years ago and had met design standards at that time. Both sites remained consistently in high demand and had low turnovers. Whilst the sites continued to meet minimal standards, there was recognition that the needs of residents had changed over time, with families growing and the type of accommodation changing. There had been a long standing approach to engagement with site residents, with dedicated site officers for both sites supported by local management teams. The presentation provided detailed information on the following key areas:- the long-term investment plans that had been co-developed and finalised with residents as the COVID-19 pandemic hit ♦ the strong desire from residents to maintain progress in relation to investment works and service improvements within the following 3 outcomes:- improving community engagement and empowerment tackling digital exclusion and reducing social isolation reducing fuel poverty and improving energy efficiency the prestigious awards won by the Partnership in 2022:- ‘Innovation in Building Diversity and Inclusion’ – The Municipal Journal (MJ) Achievement Awards 2022 ‘Excellent People, Excellent Outcomes’ - COSLA The Council was committed to continue the work with residents of both Gypsy/Traveller sites to ensure that needs would be met alongside ensuring their culture and way of life was understood. Progress would be made through the site masterplans and there would be ongoing engagement with residents so that they would be empowered to help make key decisions about how the sites looked and in relation to the services provided. Having responded to members’ questions, the Strategy and Policy Adviser was thanked for the informative presentation. The Forum decided: that the presentation be noted. In terms of Standing Order No 14, the Chair adjourned the meeting at 3.11pm for a 5 minute period. The meeting reconvened at 3.16pm without the attendance of Councillor Thomson 4
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5 Annual Report on Mainstreaming Equalities and Diversity – Housing and Technical Resources A report dated 1 September 2022 by the Executive Director (Housing and Technical Resources) was submitted:- providing an overview of progress made in relation to mainstreaming equalities within Housing and Technical Resources during 2021/2022 highlighting the key actions being progressed during 2022/2023 The Resource Equality and Diversity Co-ordinating Group (EDCG) was responsible for ensuring progress had been made in relation to the Equality and Diversity work plan and supported a consistent approach to mainstreaming equality and diversity across the Resource. The COVID-19 pandemic had disproportionately impacted vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals and groups within communities. Although restrictions had eased, work had continued across the Resource to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on potentially vulnerable individuals and groups had remained a focus of attention during 2021/2022. Details were provided on key areas of progress by the Resource during 2021/2022 under the following headings:- ♦ Home+ Affordable Housing Supply Programme ♦ Adaptions Programme ♦ Housing and Homelessness – through the Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan (RRTP) ♦ Technology Enabled Care Programme ♦ Housing and Dementia ♦ Refugee Resettlement Programme ♦ Gypsy/Travellers ♦ Equality Data Collection and Knowing Our Customers ♦ Support to Victims of Domestic Abuse ♦ Translation and Interpretation Services ♦ Consultation, engagement and customer feedback ♦ Complaints – none recorded within the equalities category during the period ♦ Employee Learning and Development Details were provided on national and local policy developments that the Resource had contributed to during 2021/2022 and 2022/2023. The Resource EDCG would continue to oversee the work in relation to mainstreaming across the Resource during 2022/2023 and the key priorities were fully detailed at section 6.2 of the report. Officers responded to members’ questions and comments in relation to the following:- various matters in relation to the Refugee Resettlement Programme and the UK Government’s ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme consultation and engagement with LGBTI+ groups, people who were care experienced, and the deaf community consideration of using more flexible approaches in terms of referrals to the Adaptations Programme the use of technology in buildings to support the deaf community in the event of a fire whether consideration would be given to incorporating bariatric adaptations to future builds the use of Equality Impact Assessments and the Fairer Scotland Duty assessments across Resources The Forum decided: that the report be noted. [Reference: Minutes of 31 March (Paragraph 3)] 5
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6 Urgent Business There were no items of urgent business. Chair’s Closing Remarks The Chair advised that, in order to develop a Forward Programme for consideration at the next meeting, an email would be circulated to Forum members with suggested topics for inclusion at future meetings, as well as inviting any other contributions from members. 6
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Report Agenda Item Report to: Equal Opportunities Forum Date of Meeting: 30 November 2022 Report by: Director, Health and Social Care Subject: Annual Report on Mainstreaming Equalities and Diversity – Social Work Resources 2021-2022 1. Purpose of Report 1.1. The purpose of the report is to:- • advise the Equal Opportunities Forum of the strategic and operational work being undertaken by Social Work Resources to meet the commitments in the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy and related statutory duties. 2. Recommendation(s) 2.1. The Equal Opportunities Forum is asked to approve the following recommendation(s):- (1) that the work being undertaken by Social Work Resources in terms of the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy and related statutory duties be noted and reported to the Equal Opportunities Forum. [1recs] 3 Background 3.1. The Connect Council Plan 2022-27 sets out our plans to deliver a range of outcomes for the benefit of everyone in South Lanarkshire. There are six outcomes, with Social Work Resources focussing mainly on three: • Health and Wellbeing – People live the healthiest lives possible • Children and Young People – Our children and young people thrive • Communities and Environment – Caring, connected, sustainable communities 3.2. The statutory framework for social work services is contained in a raft of legislation. Principal among these is the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 which places a duty on all local authorities to “promote social welfare”. Social workers have a distinctive set of knowledge, skills and values when supporting our most vulnerable people. 3.3. In giving some additional background, many of the services that are delivered to the public are set out in statute and therefore, the majority of direct service delivery has to comply with the respective legislative framework. This legislative framework is both complex and ever changing and requires Social Work Resources to manage and change service delivery in line with new requirements. However, it is this framework that provides the basis of Social Work service, working alongside the South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership (SLHSCP), to reduce inequality and provide effective care to meet the needs of vulnerable people in South Lanarkshire. Therefore, as a targeted service, much of the work centres on the following areas: 3 7
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• Child protection • Children with additional support needs • Looked after children • Adult support and protection • Mental Health • Alcohol and substance misuse • Physical and learning disability • Frail older people • People who become involved in the justice system • Unpaid Carers 3.4. South Lanarkshire Integration Joint Board (IJB) has the responsibility for strategic direction of the delivery of health and social care in South Lanarkshire. The South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care partnership (HSCP) support the IJB to operationally deliver community-based health and social care services. Staff deliver statutory services for adults under a range of legislation including the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 and Adults With Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000. Assessment and care management services assess the care needs of service users and their carers and help plan services to meet those needs. Care at home services and day opportunities provide a range of support designed to help people remain as independent as possible within the community. Care home care is available for individuals who need support in such a setting on a short or long-term basis. The HSCP commission services provided by the independent, voluntary, and private sector. 3.5. The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges across our communities, and we have witnessed a great deal of uncertainty. It has impacted on those most vulnerable and placed significant pressures upon our wider partners and workforce. At the height of the pandemic critical investment was placed in front line staffing, whilst business continuity plans were established to ensure that public protection remained a priority. 3.6. Despite the return of services through the council’s Recovery Plan there remains a residual impact. A significant build-up of demand coupled with a national shortage of skilled workforce across all sectors has resulted in recruitment and retention challenges within social care. 4. Mainstreaming Equalities 4.1. Social Work Resources plays a leading role in mainstreaming equalities across a number of partnership agendas including Integration of Health and Social Care, Public Protection Arrangements (Child Protection, Adult Support and Protection, MAPPA (Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements), Getting it Right For Every Child, Carers Strategy, Lanarkshire Advocacy Plan, Gender Based Violence Strategy, Child Protection Committee, Adult Support and Protection Committee and the Community Justice Partnership. Tackling inequality is a central theme within all these partnership agendas. 4.2. Social Work Resources participates in the council’s Equality and Diversity Working Group, and along with other Resources has developed equality outcomes that will meet the general duty as set out in the Equality Act 2010: 8
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• to eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation people who become involved in the justice system • advance equality of opportunity • foster good relations in all the work we do 4.3. The council’s five identified equality outcomes are published in the Mainstreaming Equality Report 2021-25 . 5. Progress in Meeting the Council’s Equality Outcomes 5.1. Social Work Resources reports progress against the council’s equality outcomes within the Mainstreaming Equalities Progress Report 2019–21 and through presentation of an annual report to the Equal Opportunities Forum. 5.1.1 Outcome 1 - Increase the number of people from minority ethnic backgrounds employed in the South Lanarkshire Council workforce to reflect the diversity of the South Lanarkshire population. Equality, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace is promoted through a robust training programme. Following agreement by the Social Work Governance group, the following learn on line courses are now deemed mandatory for the wider social work workforce (2899 employees). In recognition of the disparate workforce, staff attendance on these courses will continue to be encouraged by local managers and monitored by the Social Work Learning and Development Board. Courses completed by October 2022 % completed by October 2022 EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY AWARENESS 1548 53% MARRIAGE AND CIVIL PARTNERSHIPS 1096 38% UNCONSCIOUS BIAS 1126 39% RACE DISCRIMINATION 1259 43% A well informed workforce ensures there is good communication with our diverse community within South Lanarkshire. It is vitally important that we liaise with service users in a way that is clear and easy for them to understand. Translation and interpretation services are accessed by social work staff to support this engagement. During 2021, Language Line provided interpretation services on 80 occasions, providing support to individuals in 13 different languages. Language Count % Arabic 3 4% Punjabi 2 3% Hungarian 2 3% Romanian 2 3% Kurdish (Bahdini) 2 3% Russian 10 13% Kurdish (Sorani) 43 54% Sorani 1 1% Latvian 1 1% Urdu 5 6% Mandarin 2 3% Vietnamese 2 3% Polish 5 6% Meanwhile, during 2021-22, British Sign Language has been used on 55 occasions to support the Deaf community engage effectively with Social Work Resources. 9
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5.1.2. Outcome 2 - Older people, those from vulnerable groups and individuals who live alone are protected from scams and nuisance calls and their wellbeing is improved through increased awareness and preventative action. Social Work Resources works in partnership to protect consumers and safeguard those most vulnerable within our communities. The South Lanarkshire Adult Protection Committee acknowledged the risk of potential hidden harm during the pandemic and re-established its pan Lanarkshire financial harm task group. The group identified key actions, including further engagement with local financial institutions to raise awareness of Adult Support and Protection and share advice of the banking protocol initiative and a review of the financial harm booklet to support our workforce. 5.1.3. Outcome 3 - Counselling through schools’ service is accessible for all children/young people aged 10 and over Primary and secondary school children, including those looked after within our children’s houses, can access counsellor support. Secondary pupils can self-refer or be referred by staff whilst primary schools work together in a learning community with staff contacting a counselling provider when they need one. Social Work also offer therapeutic support to young people from South Lanarkshire, aged 0-26, who have experienced trauma. The Trauma Recovery Service (SW) is delivered by a team of therapists specialising in working with children and families, helping those who have experienced physical, emotional or sexual abuse or sustained exposure to traumatic events, to understand their feelings and make changes in their life. team would prioritise the most vulnerable service users who have experienced significant trauma. This may for example, be a child who is care experienced and has suffered significant abuse and loss. The service provides an immediate response to the referral, and triage would take place within a week to determine whether this would be suitable. If unsuitable they would signpost to another service. The speed of response will be determined by service capacity but is likely to take place within a period of weeks. 5.1.4 Outcome 4 - Prevent homelessness occurring and significantly reduce homelessness The Resettlement team acts as a conduit for all prisoners from South Lanarkshire by working closely with Scottish Prison Service and Social Work Resources to provide links to the appropriate area housing office for long term prisoners. The Sustainable Housing On Release for Everyone (SHORE) Housing Officer post has been an effective intervention, meeting with people 8 weeks prior to liberation has allowed for a person centred and planned approach to their return to the community. We have evidenced real positive outcomes with settled and secure accommodation being identified on release, access into the private rented sector and where anyone has had to present as homeless, planned access into a temporary furnished flat has been organised. There has been no use of B&B or unsuitable accommodation. We also work in partnership with Women’s Aid South Lanarkshire and East Renfrewshire (WASLER), and housing colleagues to ensure safe, supportive refuge accommodation, advice and support is available in all localities to support women and children escape domestic violence. 10
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5.1.5 Outcome 5 - Improve Health, Care and Wellbeing for the most vulnerable in our communities • Blantyre Care Facility - Planning permission was granted in 2019 to develop a range of care facilities on a site in Blantyre. The programme has four distinct areas of development, which include 20 technology enabled properties designed and equipped with technology to support older people to live independently in a family home rather than moving to residential care. The final 12 properties were allocated to service users at the end of July 2022. Feedback from service users to date is very favourable. Other services on the site, available from November 2022, are transitional care facilities offering short term support to individuals before returning home following a period of ill health or crisis, or to prevent hospital admission. A Centre of Excellence specialising in training and development of health and social care staff will be created to support all localities across South Lanarkshire. Finally, a TEC zone, designed in collaboration with Glasgow Science Centre, will showcase how technology enabled care can be used to support people to live well, safely, and independently at home. This model of care will enhance our ability to meet changing care needs offering individuals more choice and options to remain at home and in the community. • Care and Support Service - offers support to adults with a learning disability to live safely within their own home in the community. The service, established in 2004 had seen little change since its inception and needed to embed policy directives such as Self-Directed Support (SDS), South Lanarkshire’s Eligibility Criteria and the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016. Alongside this there was a recognition that the staffing model needed to reflect the diminishing number of ageing service users, but with increased levels of dependency. On conclusion of the review, service users have greater choice and control over their care through the SDS assessment process. This is enabling individuals to achieve outcomes that matter to them, whilst ensuring there remains sufficient capacity within the service to continue to meet individuals’ changing needs and identified outcomes going forward. • Technology Enabled Care (TEC) - provides health and care services to people in their own homes, or near to home, helping people to live independently, safely and well at home for longer. Our key services include assistive technology (usually linked to community alert alarms), Connect Me remote health monitoring service, and Near Me video consultations. Demand for assistive technology continues to increase with 2,287 items installed during 2021-22, a 62% increase from 1,414 during 2020-21. Our telecare installer carried out 2,046 assistive technology visits to community alarm service users’ during 2021-22, up 37% from 1,407 in 2020-21. Keysafe installations also increased with 900 installation visits being completed during 2021-22, up 39% from 649 in 2020-21. • Review operations of the inhouse care at home service - The service has continued to focus on a far-reaching modernisation agenda. The implementation of a sector leading IT system called Total Mobile commenced and is now operational in all localities. This is transforming the way the service schedules, allocates work and communicates with staff and service users. The system is already bringing efficiencies to the scheduling process and is facilitating wider organisational change throughout 2022-23. 11
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• Continue to support carers, continue to care in good health and wellbeing - The Carers Partnership Group is tasked to drive forward the work of the Carers Strategy and ensure funding is directed to support the Carers agenda, staff have been recruited to at both strategic and operational level to maintain oversight of the whole system of support for adult carers and young carers. There is a Lanarkshire Carers worker successfully linked with each of the four localities. Positive relationships between the SLHSCP and Lanarkshire Carers provide a strong base to build further improvement activity • Protect front line staff and carers with access to Personal Protective Equipment - A PPE Hub was established immediately in direct response to the Covid pandemic to provide items of PPE to care providers, including care homes, paid carers, unpaid carers and charitable organisations. As procurement arrangements have normalised organisations are now sourcing their supplies directly and the HUB ceased on 31 October 2022. Services have also consistently adapted to the enhanced requirements for infection prevention and control measures (IPC). A Scottish Infection Prevention and Control Education Pathway (SIPCEP) has been developed by NHS Education for Scotland (NES) to provide a staged pathway of IPC education. It aims to enable all staff to continuously improve their knowledge and skills around IPC as part of their role. Work is underway within the Resource to identify trainers to deliver the programme to over 2,000 social care employees. • Inclusion As Prevention - IAP is currently focusing on Rutherglen and Cambuslang. This five-year project is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund. The approach involves shifting from the acute and crisis driven intervention taken when a young person becomes involved in offending. IAP seek to provide early and inclusive support to young people who are at risk of offending as a means of intervening before negative patterns of behaviour begin. IAP is also tackling - and aiming to understand - the root causes of offending. To ensure the voices of the children and the unique needs of their community drive the re-design of early-stage services, IAP combine community engagement with co-production, co-design, and improvement methodologies. IAP are taking an iterative and collaborative approach, placing those with lived experience and expertise at the centre of everything they do. IAP’s core partners are South Lanarkshire Council, Action for Children, The Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice (CYCJ) and Dartington Service Design Lab. Further information on all the equalities outcomes can be found within Appendix 1. 6. Equality Impact Assessments 6.1. Social Work Resources continues to build upon previous work undertaken in relation to equality and diversity impact assessments resulting in the completion of impact assessments and the identification of new policies, functions and procedures for inclusion in the Relevance Schedule. 12
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6.2. Over the course of 2021-22 the Resource carried out Equality Impact Assessments, which included six in relation to policies and plans: • Facilitated Discharge Team • Blantyre Care Facility • Review of Resource Allocation System (RAS) arrangements for Adult Carer Support Plans • Community Justice Partnership Communication and Engagement Strategy 2022- 2025 • Covid Safe Recovery and Delivery of Day Supports for Adults and Older People • Strategic Commissioning Plan 2022-2025 6.3. The Resource follows corporate guidance for carrying out Equality Impact Assessments. A summary sheet is prepared for each assessment, and this allows staff involved in the assessment to note other risks that have been identified as part of the Equality Impact Assessment process. This helps to inform the Resource’s approach to risk assessment. 7. Employee Implications 7.1. Mainstreaming equalities are met from within existing employee resources and that of our partner agencies. 8. Financial Implications 8.1. There are no additional financial implications associated with this report. 9. Climate Change, Sustainability and Environmental Implications 9.1. There are no new climate change, sustainability and environmental implications associated with this report. 10. Other Implications 10.1. There are no additional risk implications associated with this report. 10.2. There are no sustainable development issues associated with this report. 10.3. There are no other issues associated with this report. 11. Equality Impact Assessment and Consultation Arrangements 11.1. This report does not introduce a new policy, function or strategy or recommend a change to an existing policy, function or strategy; therefore, no impact assessment is required. 11.2. As a result of COVID 19 we have continued engagement with our service users, carers, staff and assisted with wider supports and community responses to the pandemic. Soumen Sengupta Director, of Health and Social Care Date created: 1 November 2022 13
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Link(s) to Council Outcomes/Priorities/Values • Communities and environment • Children and young people • Health and wellbeing Previous References • Equal Opportunities Forum Annual Report - 16 June 2021 List of Background Papers • Mainstreaming Equalities (Progress report 2019) (Outcomes report 2021-2025) Contact for Further Information If you would like to inspect the background papers or want further information, please contact:- Ciana Stewart, Planning and Performance Manager E-mail: Ciana.stewart@southlanarkshire.gov.uk 14
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Appendix 1 Social Work Resources Mainstreaming Equality 2021-22 Outcome 1 – Increase the number of people from minority ethnic backgrounds employed in the South Lanarkshire Council workforce to reflect the diversity of the South Lanarkshire population. What we have done so far What difference it has made 1 7,673 equality and diversity training programmes completed by the social work workforce. Staff are informed of equality, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace through a robust training programme. 2 80 calls to Language Line for translation and interpreting services for 13 different languages. Service users have access to translation and interpreting services to enable them to easily communicate and liaise with social work services. Outcome 2 – Older people, those from vulnerable groups and individuals who live alone are protected from scams and nuisance calls and their wellbeing is improved through increased awareness and preventative action. What we have done so far What difference it has made 1 Provided 419 day care places this includes services delivered by the Day Care Outreach service which was developed in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Services were maintained with vulnerable service users throughout the Covid pandemic. Older people are able to engage in small group settings, participate in a range of stimulating activities, make new friends, and are less isolated. 2 Undertook 2,000 Inquiries for the 65+ age group in Adult Support and Protection resulting in 896 investigations. Older people are protected from harm defined to include any conduct which harms or exploits an individual including behaviour towards an adult which causes fear, alarm or distress and may include neglect or self-neglect, or physical, psychological, sexual, financial or other abuse. Outcome 5 - Improve Health, Care and Wellbeing for the most vulnerable in our communities What we have done so far What difference it has made 1 Provided 126 of our own care home placements and a further 1,749 within the private/voluntary sector care homes. Older people in need of 24 hour personal care and support are cared for in purpose built homely environments. 2 We undertook 843 Inquiries for adults under 65 which led to 374 Adult Support and Protection investigations. Vulnerable adults are protected from harm. 3 Continue to support 1093 people with a learning disability to live in their own communities. Supported living arrangements are available to people with learning disabilities, they continue to participate in their 15
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communities. 4 Self-Directed Support (SDS) continues to be implemented, allowing service users choice and control over their care and support arrangements. SDS options: Direct Payments – 776 Individual Service Fund – 501 Service users are exercising choice with SDS options of: 1) Direct Payment 2) Individual Service Fund 3) Council arranged services 4) Mixture of funding options Option 3 remains the preferred option for service- users in South Lanarkshire and reflects the national position. 5 We have provided 12,468 items of equipment Vulnerable adults with physical disabilities are able to remain in their own homes, and supported to continue to be as independent as possible 6 The Resource received 2,924 referrals to support people with a physical or sensory impairment. The Resource continues to support individuals with the protected characteristic of disability remain safe in their own home or homely environment. 7 We undertook 716 Child Protection Investigations. Children and young people are protected from harm. 8 We placed 240 children on the Child Protection Register, as of 31 March 2022, 125 children were on the Child Protection Register. Children and young people are protected from harm. 9 We undertook 974 reports for the children through the Children’s Hearing System. Children and young people’s wellbeing is addressed as we work to ensure they are safe, healthy, achieving, nurtured, active, respected, responsible and included. 10 We supported 205 children and young people in full time foster care placements. Children are cared for in homely environments, and their wellbeing supported by foster parents. 11 As of 31 March 2022, there were 769 looked after children:- 90% were looked after in the community, at home, with friends/relatives or by foster/carers/prospective adopters. 10% were looked after in a residential/ or specialist residential school accommodation. Vulnerable children and young people are supported in a range of settings as their needs are addressed. 12 We have supported 573 people (685 orders) to complete a Community Payback order including the opportunity for personal development and learning opportunities. 420 orders were successfully completed in 21/22. The completion of Our criminal justice activity seeks to avoid unnecessary short prison sentences of three months or less and continue to support individuals through Community Payback Orders by way of an alternative to custody whilst community projects are 16
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orders has been challenging during the Covid 19 pandemic, with restricted court access and virtual custody operation and the need for enhanced safety arrangements for transporting service users to places of work. Performance is now steadily improving with 70% of unpaid work requirements inducted within timescales in quarter 4 against 68% in 21/22. A number of actions have been put in place to support service users undertake their unpaid work including: 1. Re-commencement of induction programme on 5th day and same day UPW start. 2. Non-attendance of service users followed up on same day by case manager with home visit to increase support and motivation. 3. Increase in at base (Auchentibber) placement offered. 4. Evening workshops operating 4 nights a week 5. Expansion of single placements with service providers i.e Beacons. 6. Promotion of Action for Children UPW service for staff to make referrals to increase opportunities for under 26 year olds to undertake bespoke placements. 7. Recruitment drive to increase ability of service to have more supervisors available to take groups out on UPW. This includes the use of sessional staff. improved by those undertaking CPO’s. 13 We have prepared 1,256 reports for the Courts. The Resource continues to perform well in the submission of Criminal Justice Social Work Reports to the courts within timescale. From 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022, 99% of reports were submitted within timescales, exceeding the 95% target. Reports assist courts in determining the most appropriate disposal to impose on the offender. 14 The Resource has received 636 referrals to support individuals improve their substance misuse behaviours with the support of specialist services. We support, sign post and direct service users with substance misuse problems to our alcohol and drug partnership working arrangements. 15 As part of the development of the Lanarkshire Advocacy Plan we engaged with a range of service users, carers, staff and advocacy providers as part of the plan’s development Service users commented positivity about the support Advocacy provides for them. 17
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16 Continue to support unpaid Carers and young Carers by providing financial support to Lanarkshire Carers, Action for Children, and other partner organisations to assist us deliver on the duties of the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016. Supports and Services to unpaid carers continue to develop and evolve with our third sector organisations. Unpaid Carers will be better supported on a more consistent basis so that they can continue to care if they so wish, in good health and have a life alongside caring. 17 The last Social Work equality profile validation exercise records: 1.80% staff declaring they have a disability (SLC 1.65%), 86.62% no disability (SLC 89.33%), 11.58% not declared (SLC 9.02%). The Resource offers employment opportunity and continues to monitor the workforce. 18 The last Social Work equality profile validation exercise records a gender split of 85.33% (SLC 72.40) female and 14.67% male (SLC 27.60%). The balance of gender profile across Council Resources differs. Social Work Resources and the care services it provides predominately attract a larger number of female staff. 19 Completion of an Adult Support and Protection (ASP) themed inspection. The Care Inspectorate inspected ASP arrangements in August/September with findings available in November 2022. Learning shared by the Inspection Team will be used to improve staff knowledge and understanding of ASP arrangements. 18