18 June 2009
Strong, accountable and responsive leadership at a political and professional level - that is what is needed to drive forward improvement and change in social services in Wales, Gwenda Thomas, AM, Deputy Minister for Social Services has told delegates attending a national social services conference in Cardiff over the last two days.
Outlining the key drivers for delivering change and improvement to over 200 delegates she said:
“Over the last 10 years there have been significant improvements across social services in Wales. The Welsh Assembly Government remains committed to the centrality of local government in planning and delivering social services in Wales. We have a unique social services model in Wales and integrated social services, rooted in local government remains the way forward. However, whilst progress has been made, we are not yet consistently good enough. Getting it right nine times out of ten for vulnerable children and adults is not good enough. We must strive for excellence, therefore making our improvement journey a continuous one where there is never an end point. ”
“These are difficult times, particularly for the profession and we owe a huge gratitude to social workers and social care staff whose dedication and commitment to the job is not recognised enough, by the public and especially the media who, rather than celebrating their efforts prefer to blame them for rare systematic failings. I am delighted that yesterday’s report published by CSSSIW and the Wales Audit Office recognises the commitment of the social care workforce in Wales as well as the commitment to their continuous workforce development.”
Highlighting the vital role of social services directors in delivering cultural and service improvements, the Minister added:
“More needs to be done to improve performance management, service planning and service commissioning. We have a unique social services model in Wales and there is no room for fragmented services, we need integrated family services. Making services more personalised will make a difference to improving outcomes. Service users must be given a voice from design to delivery. The role of the social services director is critical to maintaining and creating high performance services and raising the performance of social services to a universal standard. Every local authority in Wales needs to review their planning and accountability arrangements for delivering personalised services that meet the needs of their local populations.”
“There is a pivotal role for social services leaders in Wales in transforming the profession by selling the culture of the service, seeking more opportunities for collaborative working and by focussing on outward looking approaches. The social services leadership role must carry credibility within the service and amongst partners.”
During her conference address, the Deputy Minister announced the launch of new ‘Guidance on the Role and Accountabilities of the Director of Social Services’ and ‘the establishment of a new Independent Commission’ to look at how social services can meet the challenges of the next decade.
Responding to these announcements, Cllr Meryl Gravell, WLGA Social Services Spokesperson said:
“These are particularly challenging times for social Services and on behalf of local government in Wales would like to thank the Minister for her continued support.”
“I am delighted that yesterday’s report by CSSIW and the Wales Audit Office recognises the many improvements in performance, standards and approaches that have been made across the profession over the last 10 years. These improvements are the result of dedicated social services leaders and a committed workforce who work effortlessly to deliver the services that people want and who work hard to improve them. This determination to get it right when it comes to service planning and delivery needs to be better recognised, particularly by the media. All partners must work together to create a cultural shift in the way the public and the media perceive social services by taking every opportunity to promote our well deserved successes.”
“However we recognise that we have some way to go and the report sets out clear milestones for action which will be using as a platform for building on our progress.”
Responding to the Minister’s call for increased collaborative working across local authorities and between partners, Cllr Gravell added:
“Local authorities are facing some of their toughest financial times. Service pressures are growing, yet the resources available to deliver these are becoming increasingly finite. Collaboration is happening across Wales as a means to deliver better services and to re-shape and modernise existing services but we must do more. As public finances tighten over the next few years, every council in Wales will need to work more closely together, with one another and with their partners in other sectors.”
Responding to the Minister’s announcement to establish an independent Commission for looking at the challenges facing the profession over the next 10 years, Cllr Meryl Gravell and Rhian Huws Williams, Chief Executive, Care Council for Wales said:
“We look forward to receiving more information on the role of the Commission and welcome the Assembly Government’s inclusiveness of all social services providers in this consultation.”
Neelam Bhardwaja, President ADSS Cymru said:
“We recognise the need for stronger, more responsive and accountable leadership and we are up for that challenge. We cannot blame the public for not understanding the complexity of social services, particularly the safeguarding agenda but we must look to engage them more and make them better understand. We must ensure that the voice of social work is heard loud and clearly.
The last few months have been a very painful and uncomfortable time for social services. For us to move forward we have to continue to build on the progress we have already made and work in partnership at every level. We have faced a lot of change over recent years and there is more change on the horizon. We have to make sure that all these changes are a shared responsibility and we must deliver citizen focussed services as a whole public sector and not as silos. ”