Press Releases

The last Joint Review in 2000 was highly critical of the Council, particularly in relation to services provided for children and families. Today’s report describes the considerable work done to tackle a number of the serious problems found at that time. Increased investment, greater political commitment, improved corporate frameworks and the contribution from staff have all helped to improve significantly the range and quality of services available.

Children’s services are now better focused on the key tasks of safeguarding children and promoting their welfare.  Services are often developed in partnership with other agencies and the voluntary sector. Creating a specific team to work with the families of children with disabilities has helped to improve substantially the services provided for them. However, there are still some gaps, such as options for respite care. 

In adult services, there has been an increase in the range of services available. Steps have been taken to improve access to services in relatively isolated communities and more emphasis is being placed on promoting independence and supporting people at home. However, the overall approach to service improvement has been gradual, ad hoc and lacking in coordination. This means significant gaps remain, including limited availability of services that respond to crisis and to the need for intermediate care. As a consequence, some people still do not receive a timely response or appropriate help.
 
The report concludes that the pace of improvement in social services has been slowed by a lack of direction in respect of some big issues and the need for better organised management of change. The review team considers that the biggest challenge is one of sustainability in terms of the resources available to maintain and develop services. And it is uncertain whether the Council has the capacity to deliver some measures that are needed to avert a growing crisis - such as providing a clear direction for the shape and pattern of services that is financially realistic and sustainable.

The report identifies six priorities for action that help to provide the Council with a coherent agenda for change, so that it can safeguard and build upon the improvements in services already made.

The Acting Chief Inspector of Social Services, Richard Tebboth said today:
“Six years ago, social services in the Vale of Glamorgan Council were found to be poor. The fact that we can now say that the services are ‘mainly good’ is a huge achievement. But there are still problems that threaten to undermine this level of improvement. The Council will need to deal with these issues in a measured and purposeful way if it is to provide people with services that consistently meet changing needs.”

Auditor General for Wales, Jeremy Colman said today:
“The Vale of Glamorgan Council has made huge strides in improving the quality of its social services. What is needed now is a clearer direction for the future. Greater clarity on the overall shape of service provision, agreeing priorities for spending and encouraging informed challenge and scrutiny will really help the Council to sustain and further improve services.”

Notes to Editors:

• This report is part of a second series of joint reviews, a rolling five-year programme to assess the performance of individual social service authorities in Wales.

• Joint reviews are conducted jointly by the Social Services Inspectorate for Wales and the Wales Audit Office.

• The review of Vale of Glamorgan Council was carried out between January and April 2006.

• Joint reviews are carried out in accordance with the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003, which gives the National Assembly for Wales the power to conduct reviews of the way in which local authorities discharge their social services functions.

• Joint reviews set out to answer two key questions: How good are the social services that people in the area receive and how well placed is the Council to sustain and improve services?

• Vale of Glamorgan Council covers a largely rural area, serving a population of some 121,000.

• Further information can be found on the joint review web-site: www.joint-reviews.gov.uk

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For more information, please contact Rachel Moss (Wales Audit Office Communications Manager) on 029 2026 2675 or email rachel.moss@wao.gov.uk