Issue - meetings

The Board received a report of the Director of Adult Social Services, which provided information on work that had taken place within Adult Social Care (ASC) in relation to the Standards for Employers of Social Workers in England, which was published by the Local Government Association (LGA).

It was reported that a self-assessment exercise had been undertaken locally to establish Halton’s performance in relation to the Standards and staff had also taken part in the Social Work Health Check survey, which was required under one of the employer standards.

The report provided Members with further information on the outcome of the Health Check survey as well as information on the Standards self-assessment exercise.  It was noted that the Health Check survey had been co-ordinated at a national level by the LGA with national, regional and local reports being produced.  Halton’s social workers took part in the survey in December 2020 and the headline local report was received in January 2021 (Appendix A).  A more detailed local report was received in May 2021 (Appendix 2).

It was noted that the Health Check survey was being run on an annual basis with the next one due to start in September 2021.  Halton had registered interest in taking part and was waiting for further information.

The following further information was provided in response to Members questions:

·         There were 22 respondents out of 55 to the survey, which represented 40% of staff;

·         Continuous Professional Development (CPD) was good in Halton and improvements to this were always being looked at to encourage staff to stay; and

·         Training opportunities had been reduced during the pandemic, however all staff had now been given training opportunities.

RESOLVED:  The Board note the contents of the report.