Issue - meetings

The Board received an annual report from the Adults Principal Social Worker (APSW) which outlined how the role of social work supported the One Halton Based Partnership in order to meet its priorities and objectives.

It was reported that the APSW was a statutory requirement under the Care Act 2014.  The national guidance on the role and responsibilities had evolved and been updated and clarified over recent years.  It was noted that the Principal Social Worker played a key role in representing and promoting the social work profession; the report listed some of the responsibilities that came with the role. 

The report also outlined details of the strengths based approaches and practice training, which had been carried out over the past 12 months.  Included were details of specialist training such as e-learning for all staff and webinars, in conjunction with the Learning Disability and Autism Programme.  

Information on: present and future workforce development; the mental health ‘Think Ahead’ Programme; the LGA’s Standards for Employers of Social Workers; the organisational health check and quality assurance, was also presented in the report.

It was acknowledged that there were some challenges in hospitals due to vacancies in social care.  However, it was anticipated that apprenticeship appointments in the discharge teams and intermediate care teams would help address some of the issues.

          RESOLVED: That the report be noted.