Agenda and draft minutes

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(1)       The Chairman invited the officers to use the papers they had submitted and to up date the Select Committee on progress made with each of its recommendations.  The Committee discussed the progress made on each of the 28 recommendations and Officers answered specific questions on the action taken to date and action proposed which included those set out below:-

Recommendation 1

·        In relation to a question on the cost of each alcohol related admission to Accident and Emergency (A & E), Members were informed that it cost £1,000 per head.

·        Ms Slaven referred to the multi-agency Kent Action on Alcohol Steering Group (KAASG) and gave details of the membership both from within KCC and from other partner bodies such as the Police, Health and the Probation Service.  There were also two sub groups of the KAASG which were the Communication and the Data Information Sub Groups. These sub groups were meeting on a three monthly basis.   Ms Slaven undertook to provide Members with the Membership of the KAASG and its sub groups.  (Action – Ms Slaven)

·        In response to a question on whether, cases came before adoption panels where a child was being placed in care because of parental alcohol or drug dependency, KDATT had any input into this, Ms Slaven referred to the draft Hidden Harm strategy, which supported the Alcohol strategy, and was due to be considered at the meeting of the Communities POC on 25 March 2009.  The Hidden Harm Strategy was about all types of substance misuse and how to safeguard children.

·        Regarding who was responsible for implementing this recommendation and carrying out a needs assessment, Ms Slaven explained that the KAASG were established in June 2008 and they have been asked to produce an annual update on treatment, when the results of the first annual update were available it would give an indication of need. 

·        Ms Slaven explained that the Data Sub Group were looking at how information was shared with partners and identifying what data was not available. Once there was clarity on what data was available they would then move on to look at how it was used.

·        Ms Slaven referred to detailed need analysis work that had been commissioned from the Oxford Public Health Unit.  Their report was expected at the end of the month.

·        Ms Slaven undertook to supply to Committee Member a breakdown of the additional funding for alcohol treatment. (Action - Ms Slaven).

Recommendations  2

·        The Chairman asked about the support for children of parents who misused alcohol.  Ms Slaven referred to the draft Hidden Harm strategy and the multi agency work that was being carried out with head teachers to raise awareness of these issues.

·        In response to a question Ms Slaven explained that there were distinct services for people with different requirements and social needs.  In relation to alcohol misuse, A & E units were effective in helping people to find the right mechanism for support.

·        In response to a question on what was being done to help  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.