Issue - meetings

To submit a report by the Director of Social Services.

It was resolved to accept the Annual Director’s Report as an accurate reflection of the effectiveness of Social Services during 2020/21.

The Annual Director’s report on the Effectiveness of Social Services in 2020/21 was presented for the Executive’s consideration.

Councillor Llinos Medi, Chair and Portfolio Member for Social Services reported that there is statutory requirement for the Director of Social Services to report annually to the Council on the delivery and performance of Social Services for that year. The report provides an overview of activity during the year as well as setting out the focus for improvement for the forthcoming year. Although the report is that of the Director’s it is also a document which the Council collectively should take ownership of as a reflection of the hard work and achievement during the year.

The Director of Social Services referred to the unprecedented challenges faced by Social Services in 2020/21 as a result of the Covid pandemic and to the efforts of Social Services staff supported by internal colleagues within the Council and partner organisations outside to ensure that the people of Anglesey remained safe during this period. Similarly, the Authority’s foster carers have worked extremely hard to ensure that the children in their care were kept safe and thanks are due to them for their valued commitment. During the Covid 19 pandemic period, Social Services continued to meet its statutory duties and to work closely with Welsh Government and Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW), the Health Board and other partner organisations and was the subject of an assurance inspection of Adults’ and Children and Families’ Services by CIW from which the feedback was positive. CIW also visited the Service’s two small group homes during the year and these visits also resulted in encouraging feedback. Anglesey Social Services continue to play their part in key regional and national discussions ensuring that the citizens of Anglesey have a voice in decisions that affect them. The pandemic brought about a change in working practices as contact and interactions moved online and meetings were conducted remotely; however, Anglesey’s Social Services are always looking at opportunities for doing things differently in order to better respond to people’s changing needs.

In highlighting key points in Adults’ and Children and Families’ Services, the Director of Social Services referred to the shift to digital channels citing the setting up of virtual village halls as an example; the purchase of a town centre property in Llangefni to provide Mencap Môn with a hub for  people with a learning disability as one of many instances of partnership working which has been especially important in 2020/21 in responding to the pandemic; working with schools and the Learning Service to identify vulnerable children and arrange appropriate provision, and  successfully approving 9 mainstream fostering households and 14 connected persons (family and friends) households in the year. These represent a few of the many activities that took place across the range of Social Services during 2020/21. Despite the Covid 19 pandemic and the ever increasing financial challenges faced, Social Services have continued to make progress in the year whilst also fulfilling their statutory  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7