Minister launches second round of joint reviews in Wales
Minister for Health and Social Services Jane Hutt has formally launched the second round of social services joint reviews in Wales.
Joint reviews examine how well local council social services meet the needs of vulnerable children, elderly people, people with physical, sensory and learning disabilities, people with mental health problems and other vulnerable groups. These services include child protection, fostering, family support, residential and nursing care and home care.
The first round of joint reviews covered both England and Wales . In Wales , they highlighted poor performance in a number of councils, which led to special action to put things right.
The second round will be carried out by the Social Services Inspectorate for Wales and the Wales Audit Office . It will cover all councils in Wales over a five-year period.
The Minister launched the second round at a special social services summit conference convened by the Welsh Local Government Association. She said:
“Joint reviews continue to represent a challenge, which councils must meet, in delivering social services that meet the needs of vulnerable people to consistently good standards. If that challenge is not met, joint reviews will continue to tell us, in their own forthright way. But if the challenge is met, as I hope it will, joint reviews will equally highlight the progress made and help to celebrate success.”
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