Caerphilly and Blaenau Gwent councils are leading the way in Wales with proposals announced today that Social Services across the two areas plan to work together more collaboratively with the aim of integration to improve key services for all sections of the community.
Approval has been sought from the Executives/Cabinets of both authorities to move towards a more integrated way of working. This will happen over the next three years. Both Social Services Directorates have a long and successful history of working together and recognise the benefits that the development of an integrated service will bring.
The Chief Executives of Blaenau Gwent and Caerphilly County Borough Councils, Mr David Waggett and Mr Anthony O’ Sullivan issued a joint statement welcoming the move, “The long term vision of this proposal is to deliver high quality, person-centred Social Services to the residents of both county boroughs, helping people to achieve their potential and keep them safe, in the most effective and efficient way. It is clear that greater collaboration is the way forward to improve public services and we are pleased to be at the forefront of this innovative way of working. We now look forward to sharing our resources and our expertise so that we can build on our strengths and improve services for our local communities in the future.”
Plans for the integrated service came from the Welsh Government’s White Paper ‘Sustainable Social Services for Wales: A Framework for Action’. The aim of the White paper is to reshape and refocus Social Services to ensure that they remain strong, and continue to meet people’s needs.
Should political approval be given, both Councils have given their assurance that staff will be kept fully informed and involved in each stage of the process.
It is expected that the integrated services across Blaenau Gwent and Caerphilly county borough will result in better outcomes for service users, reduce costs and make better use of existing resources.
The proposal is due to go to Caerphilly’s Health, Social Care and Well-Being Scrutiny Committee on 28th June 2011 and Cabinet on 5th July 2011.
