Responding to the report, Cllr Meryl Gravell OBE (Carmarthenshire), WLGA Spokesperson for Social Care said:
“The WLGA welcomes the report’s findings, particularly the recognition that local authorities are increasingly working together across regional and organisational boundaries to deliver sustainable social services for the people of Wales. Local authorities have been working collaboratively for some time to cope with the increasing demand and financial pressures facing social services and they are committed to continuing to increase the pace of collaboration to exchange good practice and drive up performance standards. Current examples of joint working include Powys and Ceredigion councils and Blaenau Gwent and Caerphilly who are looking to join services to deliver higher standards of service for their communities whilst improving efficiency.”
“We recognise however that there is still more to do to make such good practice the norm and to address the inconsistencies that still remain in aspects of social services, for example, in the assessment process for adults. Local government’s response to Sustainable Social Services commits us to working together across social care and with health and other partners to deliver services fit for the 21st century. High among our commitments are improving safeguarding for adults and children, focusing on improved outcomes for individuals, and looking at how we can develop and mainstream services for vulnerable children that focus on the family and ensure the very best services are provided at the right time to avoid escalation in their problems and the need for more intensive intervention whilst ensuring that safeguarding of individuals remains paramount.”
“WLGA and ADSS Cymru will continue to work together to push for more new and innovative service models to meet the current challenges of delivering sustainable social services. The work of the SSIA will continue to be crucial in supporting improvement and sharing learning on successful models from Wales and beyond.”
Parry Davies, President of the Association of Directors of Social Services Cymru, said:
”The many positive findings reported by the Chief Inspector are a tribute to the hard work, skills and commitment to improvement displayed by social care staff across Wales and in all sectors.”
They also demonstrate clearly that social services are benefiting from effective leadership at all levels. This is enabling local authorities to engage well in strategic planning and to develop services on a partnership basis while improving performance and the quality of current provision.”
“ADSS Cymru is committed to helping deliver the major changes needed to modernise services in response to rising demand and higher expectations. The Chief Inspector’s report rightly points to areas where further improvements are needed. We are in the forefront of work that will see social care services place more emphasis on prevention and enablement while still delivering other key responsibilities such as timely assessments and care plans.”
“As the Chief Inspector says, there are major challenges ahead,. The financial pressures on social services are unprecedented. The families and communities we serve are struggling with the impact of the economic situation. The need for social care is growing rapidly and resources are not keeping pace. In these circumstances, all social services recognise the need to work even harder to sustain recent improvements and maintain progress.”
The CSSIW Annual Report 2010-11 is available here: http://wales.gov.uk/cssiwsubsite/newcssiw/publications/annualreports/1011ar/?lang=en
