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Social services in Anglesey have improved according to a Joint Review report published today. The review, carried out jointly by the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales and the Wales Audit Office, says the Council is ‘providing mainly good services.’ Because of the resources it has invested and the use made of new funding opportunities, the Council is assessed as being ‘well placed to sustain and improve services’. In shaping the future pattern of social services to meet people’s needs, however, the Council needs to provide more effective leadership and a clear sense of direction for its work.
The report examines both the range of services available for adults and their quality. Range has improved significantly, with many people being supported to remain at home and to maintain their independence. Anglesey benefits from having a well-trained and committed group of staff in social services who are working hard to deliver high standards of care.
In children’s services, families are being well supported and there is a good range of services available, with the voluntary sector making an important contribution. When children cannot live with their family, the Council generally succeeds in providing stable placements for them.
The report nevertheless expresses concerns about:
- the inconsistent quality of day services for some adults;
- pressures on services for children with disabilities; and
- the extent to which the Council is able to meet the needs of young people with challenging behaviour.
In order to deal with the substantial challenges the Council still faces, a better approach to managing change is required. At present, it cannot be certain that resources are being used to best effect, tackling the pressures that come from people’s changing needs and increasing demand for services. Political instability has continued to create uncertainty and diverted attention from the improvement agenda by inhibiting effective decision-making and slowing the pace of change.
The report recommends seven key priorities for action that will help improve social services in the future. These include:
- demonstrating effective leadership of social services;
- getting value for money;
- improving care management and review to ensure a greater consistency of practice across client groups;
- listening to service users and carers.
The Chief Inspector of CSSIW, Rob Pickford said today:
“I am pleased that social services on Anglesey are improving. If the council can provide more effective leadership, a clearer sense of direction and link its financial planning with service developments, then I am confident it will deliver even higher standards”
Auditor General for Wales, Jeremy Colman said today:
“Anglesey is continuing to make progress in relation to its social services, thanks to significant investment and the hard work and determination of managers and staff. But more still needs to be done, particularly in a climate of rising expectations and demand. The Council needs to adopt a more systematic approach to management so that it can meet those future challenges.”
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