Growth and development.pdf

Fewer social enquiry reports were submitted to the courts during 2000-2001 than in 1999-2000,but the rate was higher than in most other authorities, reflecting the high crime rate in Aberdeen.Less than half social enquiry reports were allocated to social work staff within 2 days, but 97.5%were submitted to courts by the due date.A relatively high rate of community service orders was made in 2000-2001. The average lengthof orders completed was relatively low, and the time taken to complete them was long – withjust 2.8 hours completed on average per week.Aberdeen is part of the Northern partnership which includes Aberdeenshire, Moray and Highlandand is one of the three Pathfinder projects for the Getting Best Results initiative. The Counciluses a range of quality assurance mechanisms and an external quality assurance manager inmuch of its assessment work. A new “QUASER” tool has been introduced to assess the qualityof social enquiry reports and feed back to individual workers and their seniors. There is a 10%monthly audit of risk assessment. Risk assessment of sex offenders is subject to six monthlyinspections and is to be extended.The Council has introduced the CareJust management information package. It has undertakenclient profiling, and expects to make full use of the system to identify needs and targets whichcan be fed into strategic planning and the Pathfinder initiative.5. FinanceService Area(£000)Children’s Services £7,384 £13,480 £7,418 £13,849Community Care £32,959 £39,688 £34,233 £39,747Adult Offenders £72 £161Other SW Services £4,106 £4,060 £4,084 £3,976Total £44,450 £57,300 £45,735 £57,733Spend per headSpend per head £271.24 £273.29Quartile 1 1GAE1999-2000Final netOut turn1999-20001999-2000GAE2000-2001Final netOut turn2000-20012000-2001Criminal Justice services receive funding from the Scottish Executive, £2,185,174 was providedin 2000-2001.Community Care expenditure is one of the highest in Scotland. Spending on children’s servicesis significantly above the GAE, attributed in part to the impact of drug misuse. The AberdeenChild Care Audit highlighted the increasing number of children who are being adversely affectedas a result of parental substance abuse.Overall spend per head on social work services is high.12