The Social Work Services Committee of Dumfries and Galloway Council met on Thursday, 28th August, 2025, to discuss a range of issues, including budget monitoring, children's services, and workforce planning. The committee was also scheduled to review outside body representation and consider the Chief Social Work Officer's annual report.

Budget Monitoring

The committee was scheduled to discuss the Social Work Services revenue budget, including the final outturn report for 2024/25 and the monitoring report for the first quarter of 2025/26.

The final outturn report for 2024/25 noted that £1.913 million had been used from the council's 'Social Work Budget Pressures funding' to balance the budget. Members were asked to note the earmarked service reserves and updates on planned investments to address budgetary pressures related to children's residential placements and fostering allowances.

The revenue budget monitoring report for the first quarter of 2025/26 asked members to note a budget realignment undertaken with the Social Work Services Management Team. It also highlighted that additional resources allocated to support children's residential placements were forecast to be exceeded, despite £3 million in budget pressure funding. A report on the number of children in residential placements and measures to address the pressure was expected at the next meeting. The report estimated a £448,000 overspend for Social Work Services at the end of the financial year, requiring further budget control and mitigation measures.

A report on the Integration Joint Board's (IJB) quarter 1 budget monitoring for the social work delegated budget was also scheduled, but the copy was not available at the time of agenda publication.

Children's Services

The committee was scheduled to discuss a May 2025 inspection of a children's house and the Chief Social Work Officer's (CSWO) annual report for 2024/2025.

Members were asked to note the increase in evaluations following an unannounced visit on 21 and 22 May 2025, and the progress in appointing a permanent House Manager.

The CSWO's annual report asked members to consider the performance of the Social Work Service regarding key duties and responsibilities.

Outside Bodies

The committee was asked to review its representation on various outside bodies¹, including the Public Protection Committee (PPC), Alcohol and Drugs Support South West Scotland, the Dumfries and Galloway Alcohol and Drugs Partnership, Dumfries and Stewartry Women's Aid, the Older People's Consultative Group, and the Dumfries and Galloway Champions Board. Members were asked to appoint an elected member and a substitute to the PPC and to advise of any amendments to the current appointments to the other bodies. They were also asked to consider whether the Older People's Consultative Group should be removed from the council's scheme of representation, and to advise of any amendments to the current appointments to the Dumfries and Galloway Champions Board (Looked after Children and Care Leavers).

Corporate Parenting

The committee was asked to note its corporate parent duties for looked after children and care experienced young people, as well as the refreshed Corporate Parent Plan 2025-2028. The committee was also reminded that a statutory report on corporate parenting annual performance would be presented annually. The Corporate Parent Plan 2025-2028 included pledges to provide:

• A safe and stable home
• Access to education
• Being healthy
• Being involved and included
• Support for moving on/transitions

Workforce Planning

The committee was asked to note and comment on the Social Work Services Workforce Plan 2025-2028. The plan aimed to maximise the capacity, skills and competency of the workforce, increase service resilience, and provide development and career opportunities for staff. The plan focused on:

• Developing Our People
• Engaging Our People
• Supporting Our People
• Recognising Good Performance
• Creating a Positive One Team Culture

The plan also aimed to create a healthy working environment that supports positive emotional health and wellbeing.

Dumfries and Galloway Public Protection Committee

The minute of the Dumfries and Galloway Public Protection Committee meeting held on 22 April 2025 was included for noting. The minute included discussion of a child protection self-evaluation, a performance overview, contextual safeguarding², and home fire safety visits.