A NUMBER of areas for improvement have been highlighted in Neath Port Talbot Council’s adult services this month after an assurance check was carried out by Care Inspectorate Wales.
The check was carried out in September to review the local authority’s social services performance, with a report noting both strengths and areas for improvement.
It was reviewed against four principles of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 and includes headings such as people – voice and control, prevention, partnerships and integration, and well-being.
These focus on issues such as how waiting lists for adult services are managed, how people are protected from abuse and neglect, as well as how people are supported to manage their well-being so they can “live independently for as long as possible.”
The findings were discussed at monthly scrutiny meeting this month, where members were given the feedback on the effectiveness of the service in a location described as having the highest proportion of informal carers in Wales.
Areas for improvement came after talks with a sample of carers who spoke about difficulties in accessing support and the “variable quality, accessibility, and timeliness of assessments, reviews, and services”.
Others spoke of delays in accessing direct payments, with safeguarding assessments, decisions, and outcomes not consistently recorded, along with limited services in the community.
The report said further development would also be needed for working with partners at various levels to achieve positive outcomes for people.
The letter of findings added: “CIW expects the local authority to consider the areas identified for improvement and take appropriate action to address and improve them. CIW will monitor progress through its ongoing performance review activity with the local authority.”
Meanwhile, some of the strengths reported in the service were that it benefits from “visible and accessible leaders”, with staff describing good quality supervision which meets their development needs.
It was also said the authority responds to most safeguarding enquiries in a timely and proportionate manner, with people being treated with dignity and respect when contacting social services, and practitioners who are enthusiastic about their work.
The report which was noted by members, comes at a time where financial pressures and demands on services continue to build across all council directorates, with the authority warning of a potential £23m black hole in its next budget.
