Agenda item

Consider update by Chief Executive.

With reference to paragraph 4 of the Minute of 10 March 2022, there had been circulated copies of a report by the Chief Executive providing the first update from the Inquiry Review Group which was established to progress the work identified following the independent investigation into the Council’s handling of concerns raised about a former Scottish Borders Council employee.  The Review Group was chaired by the Chief Executive and included the Director of People, Performance and Change, the Director of Education and Lifelong Learning, and the Director for Social Work and Practice, who also undertook the statutory role of the Chief Social Work Officer. The previously titled “Education” Portfolio Member was invited to attend all meetings.  Invitations had now been extended to Councillor Leagh Douglas in her role as Portfolio Holder for Education & Lifelong Learning.  The first Review Group meeting was held on 23 March 2022 where the Terms of Reference (contained in Appendix 1 of this report) had been agreed.  Six subsequent, fortnightly, meetings of the Review Group had taken place but due to the recent local elections, this was the first opportunity to update Council.  Work had commenced in respect of all actions, as listed in the Action Plan and details of the progress made was contained in the report.  A number of Actions were now considered to be complete and these were detailed in Appendix 2 to the report.  Members welcomed this first update report of this critically important piece of work.

DECISION

AGREED:-

(a)       to record the progress of the Review Group as detailed in the report;

(b)       to approve the following actions from the Action Plan as being complete:

·        Action 1(a): establishment of Review Group;

·           Action 2 (a): establishment of communication with Care Inspectorate;

·           Action 3 (a): Provide reporting to the Critical Services Oversight Group (CSOG) for the delivery of the Inquiry Action Plan;

·           Action 5 (a): incorporation of Action Plan outcomes into ongoing collaborative review;

·           Actions 6(a), (b), (c) and (d): review of the Disciplinary Procedures and Guidelines to reinforce the requirement to report to Child Protection Unit;

·           Action 7 (a) and (b): review of the Disciplinary Procedures and Guidelines to ensure investigating officers are appropriately advised of the scope of their appointment;

·           Action 8 (a), (b) and (c): review of practice and procedures to ensure investigations are carried out by appropriately qualified personnel;

·           Action 13 (a), (b) and (c): revisiting the Council’s actions in terms of the Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007

·           Action 14(e): create a cycle of continuous improvement to culture, by putting in place an Annual Employee Survey and regular engagement with staff to address areas identified for improvement.