Social work written policy and procedures
Dear Aberdeen City Council,
Please supply:
1)A copy of the written policy and procedures regarding social workers and employers in the following areas:
a)Risk assessment
b)Exploitative behaviour
2) A breakdown of how many complaints have been received regarding social workers in the 5 years.
a) Please list as upheld / not upheld and area of social work they refer to.
Please note I am not requesting any personal details and I believe that you hold all the above information.
Yours faithfully,
Nigel Dale
Dear Mr Dale,
Thank you for your request for information, made under Section 1(1) of the
Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act (FOISA), and received on 24 June
2013.
We would like to ask you to clarify your request so that we can identify
and locate the information which you have requested. Under Section 1(3) of
the FOISA, we do not have to supply you with the requested information
until you have provided us with more detail in this respect.
A breakdown of how many complaints have been received regarding social
workers in the 5 years.
We would be extremely grateful if you could clarify whether you are
looking for information on complaints regarding social workers in the past
five years (i.e. 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012)?
Clarifying these points will help us to be sure we are providing, where
possible, the information you are interested in. Please note we will keep
your request on file for 20 working days whilst we await your
clarification. It can often be helpful to discuss your request with a
member of our team who may be able to help you frame your request or
explain more about how ACC holds its information; if this is something you
feel may be helpful please do call us, and we will be happy to assist you.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Grant Webster
Information Compliance Officer
Access to Information Compliance Team
Customer Service and Performance
Corporate Governance
Aberdeen City Council
Lower Ground North (Hub 2)
Marischal College
Broad Street
ABERDEEN AB10 1AQ
[Aberdeen City Council request email]
01224 523827/523430/522875/523602
Why not visit our Disclosure Log at:
[1]http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/disclosur...
Tel 08456 08 09 10
[2]www.aberdeencity.gov.uk
IMPORTANT NOTICE: This e-mail (including any attachment to it) is confidential, protected by
copyright and may be privileged. The information contained in it should be used for its intended
purposes only. If you receive this email in error, notify the sender by reply email, delete the
received email and do not make use of, disclose or copy it. Whilst we take reasonable precautionsto
ensure that our emails are free from viruses, we cannot be responsible for any viruses transmitted
with this email and recommend that you subject any incoming email to your own virus checking
procedures. Unless related to Council business, the opinions expressed in this email are those of
the sender and they do not necessarily constitute those of Aberdeen City Council. Unless we
expressly say otherwise in this email or its attachments, neither this email nor its attachments
create, form part of or vary any contractual or unilateral obligation. Aberdeen City
Council's incoming and outgoing email is subject to regular monitoring.
References
Visible links
1. http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/disclosur...
2. http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/
Dear Foi Enquiries,
Thank you for your prompt reply. I am sorry I had missed out the word past and you have correctly interpreted my intention. Please use the years you have stated.
Yours sincerely,
Nigel Dale
Dear Mr Dale,
Information enquiry reference FOI-13-0683 - Social Worker Policy
Many thanks for your recent clarification of your information request,
which we received on 25 June 2013.
The scheduled date for our response to your request for information is 23
July 2013.
Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any queries in the
meantime.
Yours sincerely,
Grant Webster
Information Compliance Officer
Access to Information Compliance Team
Customer Service and Performance
Corporate Governance
Aberdeen City Council
Lower Ground North (Hub 2)
Marischal College
Broad Street
ABERDEEN AB10 1AQ
[Aberdeen City Council request email]
01224 523827/523430/522875/523602
Why not visit our Disclosure Log at:
[1]http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/disclosur...
Tel 08456 08 09 10
[2]www.aberdeencity.gov.uk
IMPORTANT NOTICE: This e-mail (including any attachment to it) is confidential, protected by
copyright and may be privileged. The information contained in it should be used for its intended
purposes only. If you receive this email in error, notify the sender by reply email, delete the
received email and do not make use of, disclose or copy it. Whilst we take reasonable precautionsto
ensure that our emails are free from viruses, we cannot be responsible for any viruses transmitted
with this email and recommend that you subject any incoming email to your own virus checking
procedures. Unless related to Council business, the opinions expressed in this email are those of
the sender and they do not necessarily constitute those of Aberdeen City Council. Unless we
expressly say otherwise in this email or its attachments, neither this email nor its attachments
create, form part of or vary any contractual or unilateral obligation. Aberdeen City
Council's incoming and outgoing email is subject to regular monitoring.
References
Visible links
1. http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/disclosur...
2. http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/
Dear Mr Dale,
Thank you for your request for information, made under Section 1(1) of the
Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act (FOISA), and received on 24 June
2013.
After discussion with the Service, we would like to ask you to clarify
your request so that we can identify and locate the information which you
have requested. Under Section 1(3) of the FOISA, we do not have to supply
you with the requested information until you have provided us with more
detail in this respect.
Please supply:
A copy of the written policy and procedures regarding social workers and
employers in the following areas:
a) Risk assessment
We would be extremely grateful if you could clarify if you are looking for
policies and procedures in regards to Social Workers completing risk
assessments for clients or are you looking for risk assessments in regards
to workers carrying out their duties?
b) Exploitative behaviour
We would be extremely grateful if you could clarify what you mean by
'exploitative behaviour'? ACC have corporate-wide policies such as the
Anti-bribery policy and the Employee Code of Conduct - a copy of which can
be found at the following link:
[1]http://committees.aberdeencity.gov.uk/mg...
Clarifying these points will help us to be sure we are providing, where
possible, the information you are interested in. Please note we will keep
your request on file for 20 working days whilst we await your
clarification. It can often be helpful to discuss your request with a
member of our team who may be able to help you frame your request or
explain more about how ACC holds its information; if this is something you
feel may be helpful please do call us, and we will be happy to assist you.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Grant Webster
Information Compliance Officer
Access to Information Compliance Team
Customer Service and Performance
Corporate Governance
Aberdeen City Council
Lower Ground North (Hub 2)
Marischal College
Broad Street
ABERDEEN AB10 1AQ
[Aberdeen City Council request email]
01224 523827/523430/522875/523602
Why not visit our Disclosure Log at:
[2]http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/disclosur...
Tel 08456 08 09 10
[3]www.aberdeencity.gov.uk
IMPORTANT NOTICE: This e-mail (including any attachment to it) is confidential, protected by
copyright and may be privileged. The information contained in it should be used for its intended
purposes only. If you receive this email in error, notify the sender by reply email, delete the
received email and do not make use of, disclose or copy it. Whilst we take reasonable precautionsto
ensure that our emails are free from viruses, we cannot be responsible for any viruses transmitted
with this email and recommend that you subject any incoming email to your own virus checking
procedures. Unless related to Council business, the opinions expressed in this email are those of
the sender and they do not necessarily constitute those of Aberdeen City Council. Unless we
expressly say otherwise in this email or its attachments, neither this email nor its attachments
create, form part of or vary any contractual or unilateral obligation. Aberdeen City
Council's incoming and outgoing email is subject to regular monitoring.
References
Visible links
1. http://committees.aberdeencity.gov.uk/mg...
2. http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/disclosur...
3. http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/
Dear Foi Enquiries,
Thank you for your reply.
For Risk assessment this is for both the employer and also the social worker. For further unrequested clarification this should encompass any and all areas of social work. I thought this would have been understood from my request.
I understand from your request regarding exploitative behaviour meaning that you have no access to a dictionary what so ever. For you convenience Macmillan dictionary defines exploitative as:
'treating people unfairly in order to get some benefit for yourself'
I presume you understand the meaning of the commonly used word behaviour.So putting the two words together can be reasonably interpreted as:
unfair actions which may result in a benefit.
I have kept the words very simple hoping that there is no need for requests for more clarification.For further unrequested clarification this should encompass any and all areas of social work both for employer and also the social worker.
I am dismayed at having to reply on these matters. The Social Services know the information requested is specifically mentioned in their code of practice for employers and social workers, especially the phrase 'exploitative behaviour,' as this is used in their code of practice more than once. I believe this to be a delaying tactic to avoid complying promptly with my request.
Yours sincerely,
Nigel Dale
Dear Mr Dale,
Information enquiry reference FOI-13-0683
Many thanks for your recent clarification of your information request,
which we received on 27 June 2013.
The scheduled date for our response to your request for information is 25
July 2013.
Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any queries in the
meantime.
Yours sincerely,
Anna Buchan
Information Compliance Officer
Access to Information Compliance Team
Customer Service and Performance
Corporate Governance
Aberdeen City Council
Lower Ground North (Hub 2)
Marischal College
Broad Street
ABERDEEN AB10 1AQ
[1][Aberdeen City Council request email]
01224 523827/523430/522875/523602
Why not visit our Disclosure Log at:
[2]http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/disclosur...
Tel 08456 08 09 10
[3]www.aberdeencity.gov.uk
IMPORTANT NOTICE: This e-mail (including any attachment to it) is confidential, protected by
copyright and may be privileged. The information contained in it should be used for its intended
purposes only. If you receive this email in error, notify the sender by reply email, delete the
received email and do not make use of, disclose or copy it. Whilst we take reasonable precautionsto
ensure that our emails are free from viruses, we cannot be responsible for any viruses transmitted
with this email and recommend that you subject any incoming email to your own virus checking
procedures. Unless related to Council business, the opinions expressed in this email are those of
the sender and they do not necessarily constitute those of Aberdeen City Council. Unless we
expressly say otherwise in this email or its attachments, neither this email nor its attachments
create, form part of or vary any contractual or unilateral obligation. Aberdeen City
Council's incoming and outgoing email is subject to regular monitoring.
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[Aberdeen City Council request email]
2. http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/disclosur...
3. http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/
Dear Mr Dale,
Please accept our sincerest apologies that ACC has failed to respond to
your information request within the statutory 20 working days.
ACC is endeavouring to ensure you receive a response within the next 5
working days, but would like to take this opportunity to advise you that,
as ACC has missed the statutory deadline for responding, you are entitled
to request a review. More information about requesting a review is
included in the Further Information section, below.
Yours sincerely,
Steven Dongworth
Information Compliance Officer
FURTHER INFORMATION
If ACC has failed to respond to your information request within the
statutory 20 working days you can submit a complaint or request a review
of our response. You should do this within 40 working days after receipt
of this information. To complain or request a review, please write to:
Access to Information Compliance Team
Customer Service and Performance
Corporate Governance
Aberdeen City Council
Marischal College
Lower Ground North
Business Hub 2
ABERDEEN
AB10 1AQ
Email: [1][Aberdeen City Council request email]
Your request for review must include your name, an address, and your
reason(s) for requesting a review. You should also include the reference
number for your original request for information.
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of your request for review, you
can apply directly to the Office of the Scottish Information Commissioner
(OSIC) for a decision. Generally, OSIC cannot make a decision unless you
have been through the Council’s review procedure. The Scottish Information
Commissioner can be contacted at:
The Office of the Scottish Information Commissioner
Kinburn Castle
Doubledykes Road
St Andrews
Fife
KY16 9DS
[2]www.itspublicknowledge.info
Should you wish to appeal against the Scottish Information Commissioner's
decision, there is an appeal to the Court of Session on a point of law
only. Any such appeal must be made within 42 days after the date of the
decision has been issued.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: This e-mail (including any attachment to it) is confidential, protected by
copyright and may be privileged. The information contained in it should be used for its intended
purposes only. If you receive this email in error, notify the sender by reply email, delete the
received email and do not make use of, disclose or copy it. Whilst we take reasonable precautionsto
ensure that our emails are free from viruses, we cannot be responsible for any viruses transmitted
with this email and recommend that you subject any incoming email to your own virus checking
procedures. Unless related to Council business, the opinions expressed in this email are those of
the sender and they do not necessarily constitute those of Aberdeen City Council. Unless we
expressly say otherwise in this email or its attachments, neither this email nor its attachments
create, form part of or vary any contractual or unilateral obligation. Aberdeen City
Council's incoming and outgoing email is subject to regular monitoring.
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[Aberdeen City Council request email]
2. http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/
Dear Foi Enquiries,
I am somewhat disappointed that you have failed to promptly comply with my request within 20 working days as set down in the FOISA 2002. This request should have been relatively easy to comply with as the Social Work Department should have this information to hand.
Please conduct an internal review of this matter which is using FOI-13-0683 as a reference. My name is Nigel Dale and please use the email that receive this by for correspondence.
Yours sincerely,
Nigel Dale
Dear Mr Dale,
Thank you for your request for review of 29 July 2013 on the basis that
you had yet to receive a response. Please accept our sincerest apologies
that Aberdeen City Council (ACC) failed to respond to your information
request of 27 June 2013, made under the Freedom of Information (Scotland)
Act 2002 (FOISA).
In accordance with Section 21(4)(c) of FOISA, please find below the
response to your information request, which comprises the Review Outcome:
Please supply:
1)A copy of the written policy and procedures regarding social workers and
employers in the following areas:
a)Risk assessment
Please see attached Policies and Procedures in relation to Risk
Assessments that are specific to Social Care and Wellbeing. Please also
see the link below which provides access to the Supporting and protecting
adults from harm policy:
[1]http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/about/de...
Risk management procedures for adult protection can be found at:
[2]http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/about/de...
b)Exploitative behaviour
Please see attached ACC's Anti Bribery policy.
2) A breakdown of how many complaints have been received regarding social
workers in the 5 years (i.e. 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012).
a) Please list as upheld / not upheld and area of social work they refer
to.
There are a wide variety of occupations within the Social Care and
Wellbeing Service and information specifically about complaints against
Social Workers has not been routinely collected. There were 447 Statutory
complaints received in the last 4 financial years. In order to fulfil your
request, it would require a member of staff interrogating all 447
complaint files, which would take at least 15 minutes each (to identify
and note the information requested). This would take 111.75 hours at £15
per hour. This would equate to a cost of £1,676.25 in total.
In order to comply with its obligations under the terms of Section 16 of
the FOISA, ACC must issue official refusal notices in relation to any
requests for which it is claiming an exemption under the FOISA. We hereby
give notice that we are refusing your request under the terms of Section
12 - Excessive Cost of Compliance - of the FOISA.
Under our duty to advise and assist, ACC's Social Care and Wellbeing
service routinely report on Statutory complaints. Please see below links
to the relevant reports.
2008/2009 - 167 Statutory complaints received. Full report available at:
[3]http://committees.aberdeencity.gov.uk/mg...
2009/2010 - 128 Statutory complaints received. Full report available at:
[4]http://committees.aberdeencity.gov.uk/mg...
2010/2011 - 64 Statutory complaints were received. Full report available
at:
[5]http://committees.aberdeencity.gov.uk/mg...
2011/2012 - 88 Statutory complaints received. Full report available at:
[6]http://committees.aberdeencity.gov.uk/mg...
We hope this helps with your request.
Yours sincerely,
Grant Webster
On Behalf of Review Panel Clerk
FURTHER INFORMATION
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of your request for an internal
review, you can apply directly to the Office of the Scottish Information
Commissioner (OSIC) for a decision. Generally, OSIC cannot make a decision
unless you have been through the ACC’s review procedure. To make an
application to OSIC, please write or email OSIC at:
The Office of the Scottish Information Commissioner
Kinburn Castle
Doubledykes Road
St Andrews
Fife
KY16 9DS
[7]www.itspublicknowledge.info
An application to OSIC must be made in writing within six months of
receipt of ACC’s Review Decision Notice. When applying to OSIC for a
decision you should give your name and address for correspondence. Please
note that OSIC will not be able to investigate if you have not used your
real name to make your information request. You must also specify:
● which request for information your requirement for review relates to
● the reason that you asked ACC to carry out a review of your request
● the reason why you are not satisfied with ACC's review outcome decision
The Commissioner will contact ACC and invite its comments on your
application. Thereafter (if no settlement has meantime been reached), the
Commissioner must reach a decision within 4 months of receiving your
application, or within such other period as is reasonable. You will
receive written notice of the outcome of the Commissioner’s decision.
Should you wish to appeal against the Scottish Information Commissioner's
decision, there is an appeal to the Court of Session on a point of law
only. Any such appeal must be made within 42 days after the date of the
decision has been issued
Access to Information Compliance Team
Customer Service and Performance
Corporate Governance
Aberdeen City Council
Lower Ground North (Hub 2)
Marischal College
Broad Street
ABERDEEN AB10 1AQ
[Aberdeen City Council request email]
01224 523827/523430/522875/523602
Why not visit our Disclosure Log at:
[8]http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/disclosur...
Tel 08456 08 09 10
[9]www.aberdeencity.gov.uk
IMPORTANT NOTICE: This e-mail (including any attachment to it) is confidential, protected by
copyright and may be privileged. The information contained in it should be used for its intended
purposes only. If you receive this email in error, notify the sender by reply email, delete the
received email and do not make use of, disclose or copy it. Whilst we take reasonable precautions to
ensure that our emails are free from viruses, we cannot be responsible for any viruses transmitted
with this email and recommend that you subject any incoming email to your own virus checking
procedures. Unless related to Council business, the opinions expressed in this email are those of
the sender and they do not necessarily constitute those of Aberdeen City Council. Unless we
expressly say otherwise in this email or its attachments, neither this email nor its attachments
create, form part of or vary any contractual or unilateral obligation. Aberdeen City
Council's incoming and outgoing email is subject to regular monitoring.
References
Visible links
1. http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/about/de...
2. http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/about/de...
3. http://committees.aberdeencity.gov.uk/mg...
4. http://committees.aberdeencity.gov.uk/mg...
5. http://committees.aberdeencity.gov.uk/mg...
6. http://committees.aberdeencity.gov.uk/mg...
7. http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/
8. http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/disclosur...
9. http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/
Dear Foi Enquiries,
Thank you for your reply on FOI-13-0683 request.
Information supplied regarding risk assessment and complaints appears to be a full disclosure as far as possible (some supplied information appears to be out of date.) However with regards to Exploitative behaviour you have not yet fulfilled the request. Anti bribery may well have a place in the Social Work department but is not what was requested.
To help you comply with the request here is some information which will help.
The Scottish Social Service Council (SSSC) regulates the industry of Social work in Scotland. They produce Codes of Practice for employers and Social workers.
http://www.sssc.uk.com/Codes-of-Practice...
In that code it requires written policies and procedures for a variety of things including exploitative behaviour. I trust now you will be able to locate the requested information.
With regards to the review after careful reading of your reply it appears no mention of why the request was not dealt within the time limits of FOISA 2000. This information should have been included to satisfy my request review. Please rectify this.
With these failings I would request for you to look at this request again.
Yours sincerely,
Nigel Dale
Dear Mr Dale,
Thank you for your recent email of 1 August 2013 requesting a review of
our review outcome, REV-13-0683 - Social Worker Policy, which was
reviewed, at your request, because Aberdeen City Council (ACC) failed to
provide you with a response in the statutory 20 working days.
Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) Section
21(4)(c) - Review by Scottish public authority - 'the authority may, as
respects the request for information to which the requirement relates…
reach a decision, where the complaint is that no decision had been
reached'.
ACC failed to provide you with a response within 20 working days and we
received an request to review this from you on 29 July 2013. As per the
FOISA, our procedures, and guidance received from OSIC, our 'late'
response comprises your review outcome.
All applicants are allowed only one request for review and we have
provided you with your review outcome. If you are not satisfied with the
outcome of your request for an internal review, you can apply directly to
the Office of the Scottish Information Commissioner (OSIC) for a decision.
Generally, OSIC cannot make a decision unless you have been through the
ACC’s review procedure. To make an application to OSIC, please write or
email OSIC at:
The Office of the Scottish Information Commissioner
Kinburn Castle
Doubledykes Road
St Andrews
Fife
KY16 9DS
[1]www.itspublicknowledge.info
An application to OSIC must be made in writing within six months of
receipt of ACC’s Review Decision Notice. When applying to OSIC for a
decision you should give your name and address for correspondence. Please
note that OSIC will not be able to investigate if you have not used your
real name to make your information request. You must also specify:
● which request for information your requirement for review relates to
● the reason that you asked ACC to carry out a review of your request
● the reason why you are not satisfied with ACC's review outcome decision
The Commissioner will contact ACC and invite its comments on your
application. Thereafter (if no settlement has meantime been reached), the
Commissioner must reach a decision within 4 months of receiving your
application, or within such other period as is reasonable. You will
receive written notice of the outcome of the Commissioner’s decision.
Should you wish to appeal against the Scottish Information Commissioner's
decision, there is an appeal to the Court of Session on a point of law
only. Any such appeal must be made within 42 days after the date of the
decision has been issued
If you require any further information on making a request or requesting a
review or appeal, please see the links below:
Tips for Requesters -
[2]http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/YourR...
Asking for a review -
[3]http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/YourR...
Appealing to the Scottish Information Commissioner -
[4]http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/YourR...
Kind regards,
Grant Webster
Information Compliance Officer
Access to Information Compliance Team
Customer Service and Performance
Corporate Governance
Aberdeen City Council
Lower Ground North (Hub 2)
Marischal College
Broad Street
ABERDEEN AB10 1AQ
[Aberdeen City Council request email]
01224 523827/523430/522875/523602
Why not visit our Disclosure Log at:
[5]http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/disclosur...
Tel 08456 08 09 10
[6]www.aberdeencity.gov.uk
IMPORTANT NOTICE: This e-mail (including any attachment to it) is confidential, protected by
copyright and may be privileged. The information contained in it should be used for its intended
purposes only. If you receive this email in error, notify the sender by reply email, delete the
received email and do not make use of, disclose or copy it. Whilst we take reasonable precautions to
ensure that our emails are free from viruses, we cannot be responsible for any viruses transmitted
with this email and recommend that you subject any incoming email to your own virus checking
procedures. Unless related to Council business, the opinions expressed in this email are those of
the sender and they do not necessarily constitute those of Aberdeen City Council. Unless we
expressly say otherwise in this email or its attachments, neither this email nor its attachments
create, form part of or vary any contractual or unilateral obligation. Aberdeen City
Council's incoming and outgoing email is subject to regular monitoring.
References
Visible links
1. http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/
2. http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/YourR...
3. http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/YourR...
4. http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/YourR...
5. http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/disclosur...
6. http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/
Dear Foi Enquiries,
FOI-13-0683
Thank you for reply. I understand the situation now stands that the review process in your opinion has now completed without providing some of the requested information.
Yours sincerely,
Nigel Dale
Dear Mr Dale,
Thank you for your recent email of 2 August 2013. You are correct in your
understanding that our review process is complete and that, under the
FOISA, we are unable to revisit and review your original request again.
Under our duty to advise and assist, however, and given the further
information you provided us with in your email of 2 August 2013, I
contacted the Social Care and Wellbeing (SCWB) service.
The SCWB service have advised that the further information provided
changes the basis of the request as they had interpreted your request in
relation to Social Workers and Employers only, not in relation to service
users also.
In order to make sure that our process is completely clear, we have logged
this as a new request with the reference number, FOI-13-0914 -
Exploitative Behaviour. Please see below our response to your request.
The Scottish Social Service Council (SSSC) regulates the industry of
Social work in Scotland. They produce Codes of Practice for employers and
Social workers.
[1]http://www.sssc.uk.com/Codes-of-Practice...
In that code it requires written policies and procedures for a variety of
things including exploitative behaviour.
Please supply:
1)A copy of the written policy and procedures regarding social workers and
employers in the following areas:
Exploitative behaviour
Having looked at SSSC code of practice it does state policies on
exploitative behaviour in regards to protecting service users against
exploitative behaviour which is covered by Adult Protection procedures.
The national policy is covered below:
[2]http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/...
Grampian policy below:
[3]http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/about/de...
ACC policy below:
[4]http://thezone/nmsruntime/saveasdialog.a...
We hope this helps with your request.
Yours sincerely,
Grant Webster
Information Compliance Officer
INFORMATION ABOUT THE HANDLING OF YOUR REQUEST
ACC handled your request for information in accordance with the provisions
of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. Please refer to the
attached PDF for more information about your rights under FOISA.
Access to Information Compliance Team
Customer Service and Performance
Corporate Governance
Aberdeen City Council
Lower Ground North (Hub 2)
Marischal College
Broad Street
ABERDEEN AB10 1AQ
[Aberdeen City Council request email]
01224 523827/523430/522875/523602
Why not visit our Disclosure Log at:
[5]http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/disclosur...
Tel 08456 08 09 10
[6]www.aberdeencity.gov.uk
IMPORTANT NOTICE: This e-mail (including any attachment to it) is confidential, protected by
copyright and may be privileged. The information contained in it should be used for its intended
purposes only. If you receive this email in error, notify the sender by reply email, delete the
received email and do not make use of, disclose or copy it. Whilst we take reasonable precautions to
ensure that our emails are free from viruses, we cannot be responsible for any viruses transmitted
with this email and recommend that you subject any incoming email to your own virus checking
procedures. Unless related to Council business, the opinions expressed in this email are those of
the sender and they do not necessarily constitute those of Aberdeen City Council. Unless we
expressly say otherwise in this email or its attachments, neither this email nor its attachments
create, form part of or vary any contractual or unilateral obligation. Aberdeen City
Council's incoming and outgoing email is subject to regular monitoring.
References
Visible links
1. http://www.sssc.uk.com/Codes-of-Practice...
2. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/...
3. http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/about/de...
4. http://thezone/nmsruntime/saveasdialog.a...
5. http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/disclosur...
6. http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/
Dear Foi Enquiries,
FOI-13-0914
As you are probably aware FOI-13-0683 was made subject of an appeal to the OSIC , however I am glad to see you are attempting comply with the outstanding issues of the original request.
As a recap following the assignment of a new FOISA request it should considered to be:
Please supply:
A copy of the written policy and procedures regarding social workers and employers in the following area:
Exploitative behaviour
Exploitative behaviour can be interpreted as 'unfair actions which may result in a benefit'. This should encompass any and all areas of social work both for employer and also the social worker.
With regards to your reply links 2 and 3 refer to 'vulnerable' or risk assessment for adults. Link 4, is, I believe an error. I am not after the legal framework that Local Authorities operate under, I am after the documents that are a result of compliance of the legal framework. The appropriate legal framework in this case is Regulation of Care(Scotland) Act 2001, part 3 , 53. This empowers the SSSC to produce a code which employers and social workers are expected to comply with.
It appears you have not understood the wording of the codes. It says '4 As a social service employer, you must put into place and implement written policies and procedures to deal with dangerous,discriminatory or exploitative behaviour and practice' and '4.2 Establishing and promoting procedures for social service workers to report dangerous, discriminatory, abusive or exploitative behaviour and practice and dealing with these reports promptly, effectively and openly' The code for Social workers also refers to exploitative behaviour in section3 , '3.2 Using established processes and procedures to challenge and report dangerous, abusive, discriminatory or exploitative behaviour and practice.' I cannot see any reference in either code which restricts it to a particular age group, disability, vulnerability or 'at risk.' Please notice the request is for EMPLOYERS and SOCIAL WORKERS written policy and procedures in all areas of social work.
I hope with the above detail the requirements why the information should be held is very clear and what is expected in your response.
The Social Care and Well Being team seems to be again obstructing the compliance of the FOISA request. I do find it hard to believe they do not know the requirements of the regulatory body they operate under. I trust you can impress the need to supply the correct information.
Yours sincerely,
Nigel Dale
Dear Mr Dale
Thank you for your request for a review, received on 7 August 2013, to
reconsider the information request [FOI-13-0914 - Exploitative Behaviour]
on the basis of the content of the reponse.
A Review Panel will be convened by Aberdeen City Council (ACC) to give a
fair and impartial decision. The Review Panel will consist of individuals
who have not handled the original request and will consider the matter
afresh.
The outcome of the Review Panel will be relayed to you on or before 4
September 2013.
Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any queries relating to
the review.
Yours sincerely
Rebecka Coull
Review Panel Clerk
FURTHER INFORMATION
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of your request for an internal
review, you can apply directly to the Office of the Scottish Information
Commissioner (OSIC) for a decision. Generally, OSIC cannot make a decision
unless you have been through the ACC’s review procedure. To make an
application to OSIC, please write or email OSIC at:
The Office of the Scottish Information Commissioner Kinburn Castle
Doubledykes Road St Andrews Fife
KY16 9DS
[1]www.itspublicknowledge.info
An application to OSIC must be made in writing within six months of
receipt of ACC’s Review Decision Notice. When applying to OSIC for a
decision you should give your name and address for correspondence. Please
note that OSIC will not be able to investigate if you have not used your
real name to make your information request. You must also specify:
● which request for information your requirement for review relates to ●
the reason that you asked ACC to carry out a review of your request ● the
reason why you are not satisfied with ACC's review outcome decision
The Commissioner will contact ACC and invite its comments on your
application. Thereafter (if no settlement has meantime been reached), the
Commissioner must reach a decision within 4 months of receiving your
application, or within such other period as is reasonable. You will
receive written notice of the outcome of the Commissioner’s decision.
Should you wish to appeal against the Scottish Information Commissioner's
decision, there is an appeal to the Court of Session on a point of law
only. Any such appeal must be made within 42 days after the date of the
decision has been issued.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: This e-mail (including any attachment to it) is confidential, protected by
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with this email and recommend that you subject any incoming email to your own virus checking
procedures. Unless related to Council business, the opinions expressed in this email are those of
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References
Visible links
1. http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/
Dear Mr Dale
I refer to your email of 6 August 2013 requesting that Aberdeen City
Council (ACC) review its handling of your request for a copy of the
written policy and procedures regarding social workers and employers in
relation to exploitative behaviour.
A Review Panel met on 22 August 2013 and a copy of the decision notice is
enclosed, apologies for the delay in sending this to you. I have also
attached a second document as referred to in the decision notice.
If you have any queries regarding the above, please do not hesitate to
contact me.
Yours sincerely
Martyn Orchard
Review Panel Clerk
FURTHER INFORMATION
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of your request for an internal
review, you can apply directly to the Office of the Scottish Information
Commissioner (OSIC) for a decision. Generally, OSIC cannot make a decision
unless you have been through the ACC’s review procedure. To make an
application to OSIC, please write or email OSIC at:
The Office of the Scottish Information Commissioner
Kinburn Castle
Doubledykes Road
St Andrews
Fife
KY16 9DS
An application to OSIC must be made in writing within six months of
receipt of ACC’s Review Decision Notice. When applying to OSIC for a
decision you should give your name and address for correspondence. Please
note that OSIC will not be able to investigate if you have not used your
real name to make your information request. You must also specify:
• which request for information your requirement for review relates to
• the reason that you asked ACC to carry out a review of your request
• the reason why you are not satisfied with ACC's review outcome decision
The Commissioner will contact ACC and invite its comments on your
application. Thereafter (if no settlement has meantime been reached), the
Commissioner must reach a decision within 4 months of receiving your
application, or within such other period as is reasonable. You will
receive written notice of the outcome of the Commissioner’s decision.
Should you wish to appeal against the Scottish Information Commissioner's
decision, there is an appeal to the Court of Session on a point of law
only. Any such appeal must be made within 42 days after the date of the
decision has been issued.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: This e-mail (including any attachment to it) is confidential, protected by
copyright and may be privileged. The information contained in it should be used for its intended
purposes only. If you receive this email in error, notify the sender by reply email, delete the
received email and do not make use of, disclose or copy it. Whilst we take reasonable precautions to
ensure that our emails are free from viruses, we cannot be responsible for any viruses transmitted
with this email and recommend that you subject any incoming email to your own virus checking
procedures. Unless related to Council business, the opinions expressed in this email are those of
the sender and they do not necessarily constitute those of Aberdeen City Council. Unless we
expressly say otherwise in this email or its attachments, neither this email nor its attachments
create, form part of or vary any contractual or unilateral obligation. Aberdeen City
Council's incoming and outgoing email is subject to regular monitoring.
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Nigel Dale left an annotation ()
I think their reply means their review process is fully completed.