Growth and development.pdf

OrkneyThe Council has adopted a major workforce plan to clarify recruitment and training needs,taking account of future planned service developments and the introduction of national carestandards. It represents a blueprint for the social care workforce in 2005. Audit Scotland’sreview of home care, has prompted consideration of the need for improved conditions ofservice for home carers to generate a larger, more flexible workforce.7. Modernising servicesThe department has lead responsibility for social inclusion and on race equality. Orkney has asmall resident ethnic minority population, and the islands are visited by tourists, increasinglybrought by cruise ships, from many countries. The health and social service joint managementteam has agreed a joint approach to preparing the Race Equality Plan. The department intendsto adopt the national monitoring framework being suggested by the national data standardsproject, and to undertake further research on needs in Orkney.The Council aims to introduce in 2003 a community service portal that is accessible from allrural and remote communities in Orkney. “The One Stop Shop” is to give residents access tosocial work, health and housing services through a variety of channels, including the internetand video conferencing. A project, supported by Modernising Government funds, is inprogress to provide an improved information system, a single source for enquiries and a singleroute for giving personal details.The department is purchasing a new client information system for introduction in 2003. TheIn4tek system can be used with mobile communications, including telephones and palmtops.8. The FutureThe Council has recently done much to earn confidence and respect of local people for socialwork. Greater transparency about social work, how much it spends and how it undertakes itsresponsibilities are conveyed in The Director’s Annual Report. The major challenge is to focuson identifying developing local needs, on providing quality services at an affordable cost to thegrowing older population and facilitating access to services both on Mainland and in the islands,despite the difficulties and costs of local transport.Improvements in delivery of home care services – particularly in some of the outer islands –are now due urgently. Following the joint review, the Council should formulate with its healthpartner priorities for progressive implementation of an up-to-date flexible service.The implications of introducing some developments have still to be fully identified and providedfor – notably professional training and information on the assessment process.In recent years and following the Orkney Child Care Inquiry the Council has undertaken majorexpenditure on children and families. The time has come to reappraise resource priorities inview of other needs, particularly in different aspects of community care.199