Spotlight On Social Services

The wellbeing of the most vulnerable people in our community continues to be a priority for Caerphilly Social Services and the team is working hard to meet future challenges in social care, according to a major report. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The document, called the ‘Annual Director’s Report on the Effectiveness of Social Care Services’ was presented to a meeting of the council’s Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday13th September. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The purpose of the report is to provide a detailed overview of the work of the council’s social services division during 2015/16. The document outlines the achievements of the service and highlights the challenges that lie ahead due to changing legislation and the impact of ongoing financial austerity. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The report puts significant focus on the authority’s preparation for the introduction of the Social Services & Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014 as well as highlighting a number of key issues which the directorate dealt with over the 2015/16 period. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr Robin Woodyatt, Caerphilly’s Cabinet member for Social Services said, “The department has been working hard to develop and transform services in readiness for the new Act. I am confident that the structured and planned approach we have taken to this work has positioned us well to take on the challenges ahead. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“I am also confident that, through playing an active part in pan-Gwent activities and embracing collaborative working, we can continue to provide the best possible services to those in need, when they need it, across Caerphilly county borough. On behalf of residents of the county borough I wish to thank all members of staff for the services they provide to our most vulnerable people,” he added. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Director of Social Services, Dave Street said, “My report provides a flavour of the challenges and achievements of Social Services in Caerphilly throughout 2015/16. As always, I am indebted to the work of all staff, Carers and Elected Members for their support over the past year and their commitment to delivering high quality services in increasingly challenging times.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The document will now be considered at a meeting of Full Council on Tuesday 11th October for adoption. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​