[Louise Haughton, Principal Social Worker, to present report]

Louise Haughton, Principal Social Worker, introduced the report and outlined the reasons for presenting the findings from an annual survey to assess the “health” of the adult social care work workforce. The report details agreed actions to address areas identified as needing improvement based on the findings. The Principal Social Work advised the panel as the survey response rate was 43% and it is difficult to draw informed conclusions. The situation is complicated the number of part-time positions in the service.

The information will however be used as a benchmark for next year’s survey findings to review progress and areas for development. The panel discussed the number of employees reported as working for 48 hours and the queried the maximum number of hours that could be worked. The panel discussed the implications of staff working long hours and their ability to attend training sessions. 

The Principal Social Worker commented on the positive findings from the survey – 72% of responses reported their pride in working for Wolverhampton and 82% reported that they receive regular supervision.

The Principal Social Worker commented on the introduction of the apprenticeship degree for employees wanting to gain a social work qualification.

The panel discussed the opportunity and or willingness for older staff to attend training sessions. The panel were advised that there is mandatory training to attend and there is also the opportunity to attend bespoke training in the programme of courses offered to employees across the service.

The panel discussed the issue of the higher percentage of people when responding who agreed with neither agreed or disagreed option and suggested if this option should be removed. The Director of Adult Services advised the panel that the option on the questionnaire is helpful as it provides useful information and shows that we are not getting things right and that further investigation is needed to understand the reasons behind the view.

The panel discussed the benefits of introducing the ‘3 conversations’ approach into social work practice and supported the decision as it engages employees working in adult social care services.

Resolved:

1.    The panel comments on the findings of the Adults Social Work Health Check 2019 to be considered when reviewing the action plan.

2.    The panel support the proposed actions aimed at improving the ‘health’ of the social work workforce.