Swansea Council has been praised for its care and support for vulnerable adults following an inspection by the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales.
According to CSSIW inspectors, social workers, managers, politicians and the corporate organisation at Swansea Council are committed to ensuring older and vulnerable adults are protected from harm.
And Nick Tregoning, Cabinet Member for Social Services, said that the latest report by CSSIW was very encouraging.
He said: “This report says clearly that not only are our staff enthusiastic and committed to their role in protecting vulnerable adults but that they also have the logistical and professional support from senior managers, politicians and the corporate organisation to get the job done.
“However, we can never relax. Although a lot of activity in Social Services is being dedicated to improving services to vulnerable children, we have not lost sight of the duty we also have to look after the interests of vulnerable adults as well.
“This report gives us encouragement that the right processes, procedures and training are in place and that staff are working hard to protect vulnerable adults. But, quite rightly, it challenges us over the increasing demand for those services and stresses that this is a key area for the Council to manage in the future.”
The CSSIW report said prioritising duties may assist in meeting increasing demands and the Council needs to consider how best to maximise the skills and expertise of the adult protection team, while at the same time further developing the skills and capacity of the care management teams.
The CSSIW praised adult protection processes which provide a “very effective response” for vulnerable adults.
It said: “The response is supported and strengthened by a well established, knowledgeable adult protection team which has the necessary expertise to deliver a sound, professional response to adult protection.
“The work is delivered within an Authority which has historically given a strong priority to adult protection.”
Inspectors said that partnership working with other agencies was well established and both partners and providers were very positive about the support they receive, in particular from the adult protection team.
And it added that although significant attention was being paid to child and family services, it recognised that a positive service culture in relation to protecting older and vulnerable adults is embedded within social services.
This showed itself by the fact that the Director and the Cabinet Member for Social Services sit on the Area Adult Protection Committee and that ensures the issues are raised at the highest levels within the Council.
