Welsh local government committed to building on improvements in social services
15 January 2009
Social services and social care in Wales are continuing to improve with many people highly satisfied with the quality of services they receive. The WLGA has welcomed the conclusions made by the Chief Inspector of the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales in his annual report (2007-08).
Cllr Meryl Gravell (Carmarthenshire), WLGA spokesperson for social services, said:
“This report is recognition of the hard work within local authorities to ensure vulnerable people get the right care and support they need to lead fulfilled lives. This report bears testament to the positive changes in the way many councils deliver and plan social services, with many bold schemes in place for delivering more personalised services to individuals which encourage and support independent living and which promote dignity in care.”
“The report shows improvements across many of our service areas including services to carers and better contact between looked after children and their family and friends and recognises the efforts made to ensure the widest range of support and assistance is available to those who need it. The Chief Inspector also recognises that commissioning of services from other sectors is becoming better informed, ensuring a broader range of services are available which meet real needs of individuals.”
“A number of factors have enabled these improvements.. These include a clearer sense of leadership, major investment in staff training and a commitment by councils to address their priority areas for improvement and to share learning with other authorities and their partners. The crucial role of the Social Services Improvement Agency in facilitating this is recognised in the report.”
“However, whilst the overall picture in today’s report is one of improvement, some unacceptable variations in performance remain across Wales which councils are committed to addressing. What is clear is that we need to continue to work together across Wales to achieve a greater consistency in service quality.”
“To consolidate the progress they have made over the last year and to build on this new confidence and optimism, councils must focus on improving their performance management systems so that they and local people have a true picture of their services. Councils also need to continue to work together and with their partners to give people access to joined up services in the most efficient and accessible way. Social services need to have a powerful and respected voice within councils and most importantly within the communities they serve.”
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