Growth and development.pdf

Dundeefor example, call centres.A new handbook on “Effective Support to Staff and Good Practice in Management” provides apolicy and practice framework for induction, supervision and employee development andreview. It sets out the elements of good practice which all staff employed within the departmentcan expect. Innovative routes to improving the career options for departmental staff areplanned, including taster sessions in other areas of the department, short secondments,(especially from residential childcare) and shadowing the director.7. Modernising servicesApproximately 3,000 people are from minority ethnic groups, which represents a higherproportion of the population than in many other authorities.Dundee first published a race equality scheme in 1994. It is proposed this will form part of awider Equality Scheme. Having significant Asian and Chinese communities, the City hasresponded to the cultural needs of their older people with the provision of specialist dayservices and sheltered housing. The home care workforce includes ethnic minority employees.Each department in the Council will identify actions to be taken to ensure that the standardsset out in the Equality Schemes are complied with. An inter-agency anti-racist working grouphas been formed to identify and address gaps in provision for ethnic minorities within thecriminal justice system.A Modernising Government funded project, Dundee.Com, aims to provide a digital informationfacility for citizens and visitors alike. Current work focuses on provision of customer centres, toreduce the number of telephone calls citizens have to make to access council services,including social work.The existing social work information system is being developed with case notes designed tohelp practitioners improve assessment and delivery of care for children, adults and offenders.It is to “talk” to health information systems. Criminal justice links are to be made with Perthand Kinross Council, but not with Angus, which is adopting a different information system.8. The FutureDundee City Council has made great strides in shifting provision for older people and peoplewith learning disabilities, from residential to home care and in improving other aspects ofcommunity care. To compliment these achievements it should tackle a number of outstandingpriorities in other areas:• the Social Work Department has participated in a review of forensic services and will playits part in implementing the outcome of the review;• with health partners, identify priorities for development of community-based mental healthservices – including services for children and young people – and prepare a realisticimplementation plan within the agreed financial framework and resource distribution;• develop the single assessment tool for community care services, introduce it and monitorits effectiveness; and• with health, education and voluntary organisation partners, carry out a strategic overview ofsensory impairment services and identify priorities for improvement.61