Inspectorate calls on Welsh councils to raise their game in social services provision

Local authority social services and providers in Wales have performed better in some core areas of provision over the last twelve months but must still increase the pace of change and improve the quality and consistency of their services, the Chief Inspector for Care and Social Services has said.

Imelda Richardson acknowledged improvements by local authority social services in assessment, care management and reviews in particular. The Care and Social Services Inspectorate for Wales annual report for 2008-09 also suggested satisfaction among service users and their carers with the services they receive.

However, the report revealed continued variation in performance between authorities and in the range and quality of services available across Wales. “Once again, performance varies with growing gaps between the best and worst performers,” it said.

The inspectorate also warned that financial pressures will require “increased impetus” on driving improvement and modernising services.

Richardson said: “The challenge for all public bodies is to deliver quality services that provide value for money within a context of increasing demand and rising expectations. Together these are powerful drivers for change.

“Local authorities and providers must work together and build on the strong foundations in place in Wales to help social services and social care meet the challenges, aspirations and needs of citizens.”

The Inspectorate will – as part of its workplan for 2009-10 – examine key areas of safeguarding for children and adults as well as delivering individual inspection schemes in each local authority.

The Care Council for Wales, the social care workforce regulator in Wales, called for "radical thinking and urgent action” to achieve a step-change in the standard of social services and social care in Wales.

Chief Executive Rhian Huws Williams said: "We agree wholeheartedly with the Inspectorate’s call for increased impetus to improve services, particularly in this challenging financial climate. It is a challenge that all parties responsible for social services and social care must sign up to and face together.”

She added that partnership working had successfully delivered a larger and better qualified workforce. “Extension of the groups of workers having to register with the Care Council will have played a part in this, particularly in the number of qualifications secured by managers. However, we must build on this success quickly if we are to make a lasting difference.”