Issue - meetings

The Board received a report from the Director of Adult Services apprising them of the Adult Social Care’s approach to caseload management.  The report was requested by Councillor Dennett, as it linked to the Children, Young People and Families Policy and Performance Board and he wished to raise awareness of the subject with Members in light of the ‘Climbie’ case.

Members were advised that caseload management was an important part of overall workload management in the care management services, particularly in ensuring that social workers had a manageable workload; that they had a good mix of cases; and that peaks and troughs with individual workers are co-ordinated effectively across the whole team.   It was noted that an average caseload was 25; however this could vary depending on complexity of cases. 

It was reported that currently caseloads were manageable and the Council had good staff retention of permanent social workers with no vacancies at present.  Further due to a new progression route policy for social work staff, there was a good mix of experienced staff and newly qualified staff and regular placements were offered to social work students.  Further, the Council operated within the National Employer Standard for Social Workers, published by the Local Government Association (LGA), which was in place to sustain high quality outcomes for service users and their families, carers and communities.

The report continued to discuss the approach to caseload management in Halton making reference to the Professional Capability Forum; the Caseload Management Framework for Adult Social Care teams; and the revised Supervision Policy, Procedure and Practice.

An invitation was made to Members to attend the Social Work Matters Forum where the Principal Social Worker met quarterly with social workers to discuss professional and topical issues for social work.  This was noted by Members and Officers would forward the dates of the Forum to them.

RESOLVED:  That the Board

1)    notes the report and comments made; and

2)    notes the invitation to attend a future Social Work Matters Forum.