Agenda item

To submit a report by the Interim Director of Social Services.

The Annual Report of the Statutory Director of Social Services on the effectiveness of Social Services in 2018/19 was presented for the Executive’s consideration.

The Interim Director of Social Services/Head of Adults’ Services reported that the production of the annual report which seeks to promote awareness and accountability for the performance and progress made over the past year in delivering Social Services to the people of Anglesey is a statutory expectation. The report outlines some of the Service’s key achievements in the past year across both Adults’ and Children and Families’ Services as well as setting the direction and priorities for the coming year and the challenges that will need to be addressed in fulfilling them.

The Interim Director said that he was pleased with the progress made collectively across both Children’s and Adults’ Services during the year. Over the past 12 months there have been a number of developments in both areas which the Service is proud of; in Children’s Services, the Improving Practice Quality Framework now underpins the work carried out and is designed to govern and guide the workforce; Teulu Môn has in place a clear Engagement Strategy and the Stepping Forward Service aims to strengthen families who no longer require statutory support but continue to need guidance. The New Offer to Foster Carers will it is hoped, increase the Authority’s ability to recruit foster carers and to assist them to provide the best support to fostered children. Likewise, the opening of the Hafan Cefni facility and the commissioning of a new domiciliary care provision for residents has helped Adults’ Services make progress in their goal of supporting adults to remain independent in their own home. Mental Health Support Services have strengthened their focus on helping individuals improve their well-being through group health and fitness sessions.

The Officer concluded by saying that thanks are due to all Social Services staff as well as  those in commissioned providers for their hard work in 2018/19. Additionally, the Service also thanks Dr Caroline Turner, the former director who was in post for most of 2018/19 for her support during that and the previous year.

Councillor Aled Morris Jones, Chair of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee reported from the Committee’s meeting of 8 July to which the Annual Report had been presented and he spoke to confirm that the Committee had acknowledged the progress made over the course of the year which it felt was accurately captured by the report, and had expressed its appreciation of the dedication and hard work of the staff in making it happen. The Committee’s discussion on Children’s Services had focused on Welsh Government’s moves to encourage local authorities to set a target for reducing the number of children in care with the Committee making clear its support for the Leader in resisting such a step.

The Executive in also acknowledging the great strides made during 2018/19 in both Adults’ and Children’s Services recognised that there remain areas that need to be worked upon and that Social Services will face challenges going forward. The Executive took assurance from the progress made which it believed would provide a sound base from which to meet those challenges.

It was resolved to confirm that the Executive is satisfied that the Statutory Director of Social Services’ Annual Report 2018/19 –

•           Captures the Council’s current position with regards to delivering its Social Services.

•           Accurately reflects its improvement priorities for both Adults’ and Children and Families’ Services for the forthcoming year.

•           Reflects the Council’s accountability and responsibility with regard to its Social Services.