The focused review, carried out by the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales and the Wales Audit Office, says that social services delivered by the Council are supported by effective leadership from senior management as well as an improved performance management culture and sound planning and partnership arrangements. However some aspects of services still need to improve. 

The review which looked at a number of key themes found that improvements in children’s services have led to a more effective risk based approach to access, assessment and care management. Progress has been made in developing and improving fostering services and a Local Safeguarding Children’s Board has been set up with a clear work programme to assist partner agencies in their safeguarding role. However, the report highlighted the need to improve the quality and timeliness of assessments and for more effective transition arrangements for young people moving into adulthood.

Reviewers found that in adult services a clear service improvement agenda has been set to move towards developing services that focus on creating opportunities for independence and social inclusion. Steady progress has been made in delivering services which promote the independence of older people and there has been effective project management of major changes in the way that domiciliary care services are provided. However, the review found that services for other adult groups such as those with a physical or sensory disability, a learning disability or a mental health problem require further development.

Overall, the review found that the Council is in a good position to continue to improving services.  However there are still some key areas which need to be addressed including the need to:

• Effectively engage all staff, carers and service users in the service modernisation and improvement agenda;
• Further develop commissioning and contracting processes;
• Address recruitment and retention issues to ensure appropriate capacity at practitioner and manager level across adult and children’s services;
• Improve performance in some key aspects of assessment and  care management in adult and children’s services.

The Chief Inspector of CSSIW, Rob Pickford said today:
“ The focused review shows the Council is placing a greater emphasis on modernising and improving its social services provision. The authority needs to continue with its improvements to promote better outcomes for all service users and carers.”

Auditor General for Wales, Jeremy Colman said today:
“ The Council has demonstrated a clear commitment to improving its services, and now needs to sustain political and corporate support for the Social Services change agenda to ensure that further progress is made.”

Notes to Editors:

• This focused review of social services looked at a number of key themes which were decided at an issues analysis meeting held with the Council.  It seeks to give an overview of the way in which the Council carries out its responsibilities for social services in the areas examined by the focused Review Team. It is not intended to deliver a detailed critique in every area of work.
• The focused review was conducted jointly by the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales and the Wales Audit Office. The review of Caerphilly took place between August 2008 and September 2008.
• The Council has been asked to produce an action plan in response to the focused review and will be expected to take the findings of the report into account in developing their business and improvement plan.