Council to discuss social work report

Social work services in Perth and Kinross are to be reviewed this week.

The annual report, from April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017, will be discussed at a full Perth and Kinross Council meeting tomorrow.

The paper, which has been written by chief social work officer Jacquie Pepper, will look at the performance of social work and social care services during this time, and look at how the first year of the health and social care partnership, and the criminal justice partnership has gone. The council has reported“ongoing strong” performance in cared for children, with 95 per cent in foster or kinship placements, and an increase in the number of young people who have been in care continuing to be supported.

The report also highlights a reduction in reconviction rates for adults and an all-time low for young people offending.

And 99 per cent of people needing support for drug or alcohol misuse received care within three weeks of referral. However, the report also highlights a number of issues identified in moving forward, including population growth and an increase in the number of older people with complex care needs.

The report also predicts an increase in demand for all care services in Perth and Kinross, adding the council needs to shift the balance of care into community services, and move away from“traditional models”of care to more person and family centred care.

Cllr Ian Campbell, leader of the council, said:“This report highlights the breadth of social work and social care services provided here in Perth and Kinross, both by the council and together with our partners in the public and voluntary sectors.

“It has been a challenging year but it also reflects that we have enthusiastic, motivated and hardworking staff delivering the care and support people need.”

He added:“I would like to thank Jacquie and her predecessor Bill Atkinson for their commitment to securing high levels of performance and focusing on transforming services so they can continue to be fit for purpose in a time of tremendous change.”