23 November 2007
The WLGA and ADSS Cymru have welcomed an Assembly Government request to look at options for modernising the inspection and review programme for social services in Wales.
Responding to the request, by Gwenda Thomas, Deputy Minister for Social Services to the Chief Inspector of the Care and Social Services Inspectorate in Wales, Cllr Meryl Gravell (Carmarthenshire), WLGA Spokesperson for Social Services said:
“We strongly recognise the value of inspection and review in helping local authorities in Wales to identify the strengths and weaknesses in their social services and in helping to plan and prioritise for improvement. However, the current system needs updating and I hope the outcomes of this review will lead to a much needed streamlined and proportionate inspection and review approach in Wales with inspection programmes being developed that focus on key risk areas and minimise the administrative burden on councils undergoing review. We look forward to working with the Care and Social Services Inspectorate in Wales over the coming months as we move forward into an exciting new era for social services inspection.”
Neelam Bhardwaja, Performance Management Lead for ADSS Cymru added:
“This review will facilitate a much needed debate between regulators and councils on how we can achieve a better balance between external and internal inspection in Wales. It will encourage self-regulation by councils of their own functions and by strengthening the role of scrutiny committees for example in challenging performance levels and monitoring improvement, it will give councils greater responsibility for their own social services provision and ownership of their own improvement.”
“With the Support of the Social Services Improvement Agency, ADSS Cymru looks forward to working with the Care and Social Services Inspectorate in Wales and other social services partners to enhance self-regulation and to show how internal and external regulation can work together more effectively to deliver better social services for our communities.”
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For more information contact: Natasha Weeks