Issue - meetings

-        Strategic Director of Neighbourhoods and Adult Services to report.

Further to Minute No. 40 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member held on 16th January, 2012, the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care introduced a report by the Strategic Director of Neighbourhoods and Adult Services which outlined the approach that had been taken to ensure that customers received a safe and effective service on a 24/7 basis.

Following the successful development of an Out of Hours Service using newly recruited staff on amended contracts and volunteers from within the existing staff team it had been decided to extend this to all social work staff.

Consultation had been thorough, with the intention of encouraging as many staff as possible to accept the change to their work practice on a voluntary basis.  This had been successful with 88 staff accepting the change.  For the remaining 17 it was necessary to undertake a more formal process.

It was the intention to issue notice on 30th January, 2012 with potential dismissal and re-engagement taking effect on 30th April, 2012.

The Trade Unions have been consulted both formally and informally and were aware of the actions that were being taken.

There were no financial implications of this report.  The Out of Hours Service had been implemented within existing budget and represented good value for money.

Failure to bring all staff in line with consistent practice would cause inequity between staff in the same role.

Resolved:-  That the changes to Terms and Conditions and the process necessary to implement such changes be approved.