08 January 2008
The WLGA has welcomed the balanced, constructive and positive first report from the Chief Inspector of the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales which shows that overall social services are improving across Wales.
WLGA Spokesperson for Social Services, Cllr Meryl Gravell (Carmarthenshire), said:
“We welcome the recognition of the hard work within local authorities to rise to the challenge of ensuring our most vulnerable people get the right care and support to lead fulfilled lives.
“The Chief Inspector’s report and the significant body of evidence used to inform his conclusions clearly shows that overall people in Wales are getting a good service from local government and from our many partners. The trust and confidence placed in us by our citizens and the Assembly Government to rise to this challenge is beginning to produce demonstrable improvements. Whilst the overall picture is one of improvement, we recognise that there are variations in performance across Wales and where such shortfalls persist we are working on leadership, exchange of practice and strengthening partnerships, and this work is showing early signs that we are on the right track and adopting the right methods to continue to meet the challenge.”
“I am particularly pleased that the report highlights that local authorities are embracing the choice agenda for individuals and providing an even greater amount of individualised solutions whilst balancing the need for a stronger business focus on commissioning and performance management. We acknowledge that it is essential to focus on the workforce upon which we rely heavily for their support and commitment. We need new skills and approaches and some of these skills are very different than before. The report rightly highlights that unlike other parts of local government or public services in Wales, the majority of care is now provided outside of the council workforce and therefore only a multi agency coherent effort will work. We support the actions of the Care Council for Wales to co-ordinate the workforce action plan and collaboration with the NHS through NLIAH to find ways that can ensure we have highly skilled people capable of successfully balancing the complexity of expectations placed upon us.”
“The WLGA recognises the considerable effort from everyone working in the social care sector and through the strategic partnerships that have secured these improvements. This is a tough climate for local government and whilst funding for our services continues to be a grave concern for us all, we will continue to keep social services at the top of our agenda, to work with our partners and to provide strong and effective leadership when it is needed.”
For further information visit the CSSIW website
For more information contact: Daniel Hurford