Growth and development.pdf

The total number of staff increased between 1999 and 2000 but levels are still lower than inmany other authorities. Vacancy levels are a little higher than average.The Council has a high level of social work vacancies, reflecting high economic activity in thelocal area, which offers alternative employment opportunities. The Council has developed acomprehensive and imaginative approach to recruitment and retention which includes jobredesign, the organisation of resources to harness maximum benefit and significant investmentin training and development.7. Modernising servicesThe Council is developing a common approach to equality across race, disability and gender,mainstreaming equality in both employment and service development. The introduction of aRace Equality Scheme has implications still to be realised for social work services.West Lothian has a long-term commitment to modernising its government processes, makingfull use of new technology through its Wired West Lothian initiative.Stirling University is conducting an evaluation of the pioneering Opening Doors, a partnershipwith housing associations which combines support services with smart technology in houses,to enable older people with support needs to live independently in the community.The Broxburn Partnership database will allow sharing of core personal information on mutualcustomers, between a range of agencies in West Lothian, including health, housing and socialwork services provided or purchased by the Council. Staff have an internet learning andinformation resource available on their PCs.8. The FutureThe Council has made significant strides in modernising its services and its business approach.It therefore has much to build on.To meet the demands in the growth of its older population the Council needs to capitalise onits progress in developing its home care services. Priority next steps are:• completion of the single shared assessment; and• where appropriate, development of single health and social care worker posts.The Council and its health partners share a common strategic direction for mental healthservices, but they now need to resolve the detail of joint working in order to deliver effectiveservices. In addition, the partners will want quickly, as is planned, to finalise the outstandingissues on the Joint Future agenda, especially on single shared assessment.To enable the development of sensory impairment services to proceed the partners shouldcomplete as soon as practicable the review of the future needs assessment process for childrenmoving towards adulthood and facing a continuing need for support.272