A-Z of Services

Social Services Annual Director's Report & Associated Business Plan

The 2011/12 Annual Director's Report was presented to the Council's Executive Board on 7th August 2012. The Director's Report provides key information on the delivery of Wrexham Social Services during 2011/12. It highlights areas of achievement and improvement along with those requiring further development across the two service areas of ASC and PSC. There are also a number of Council wide key areas that cut across the both Adult's and Children's Services.

The Director’s Report is based on a self-assessment of Social Services performance by Council officers. The report, along with its supporting evidence, has been reviewed by the CSSIW (Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales) to ensure it presents a recognisable picture of Social Services performance.

Social Services in Wrexham is arranged or directly provided through two key Departments of the Council: the Adult Social Care Department, which provides services to Adults aged 18 plus; and the Prevention & Social Care Department, which provides services to Children & Young People and their families. Details of services provided can be obtained on the Council website at www.wrexham.gov.uk or by calling Freephone: 0800 587 6708.

The Director’s Report highlights the positive progress made during 2011/12. In Adult Social Care we have continued with our transformation agenda and made significant improvements to services. The priority has been to support people’s independence in their own homes wherever this is possible. Our key achievements within ASC include:

Continuing to implement a ‘Reablement’ model of care and to develop Intermediate Care. Both services are designed to prevent inappropriate hospital / care admissions and to support people to return to and be supported in their own home;
Strengthening the way in which we monitor services commissioned from the Independent sector in order to ensure that we obtain good quality services whoever is the provider;
Working with two neighbouring North Wales Authorities in agreeing a transparent Care Home fee methodology to support the delivery of quality care;
Improving the way in which we assess carers and ensure that they are put in touch with appropriate services to provide them with support in their caring role;
Investing in preventative and community support for people to promote independent living and to reduce the need for Social Care involvement.

We also achieved most of our performance measures/indicators alongside a balanced budget.

In Children’s Social Services the challenge has been to respond effectively to continuing high demand of children requiring our help. Wrexham has experienced an increase in the numbers of referrals of children in need; those in need of protection and of vulnerable families requiring support over the last 3 years. Our key achievements in Children’s services include;

Increasing investment in the number of frontline staff whilst making efficiencies in the back office;
Continuing to develop the Integrated Family Support Service (IFSS) for families with substance misuse and parenting concerns and the expansion of the Families First and Flying Start Services;
The Together Achieving Change (TAC) approach (formerly known as the Team Around the Child) is also having a positive impact on many families by co-ordinating effective preventative services when problems first emerge and avoiding the need for social care intervention.

In Children’s Services, whilst performance in many areas is positive, some further improvements are still required, particularly in the quality and timeliness of assessments. A recent Inspection has identified a number of agreed areas for improvement which remain the focus for the Service.

On a more general and cross-cutting level, I am pleased to report that we have continued our investment in our key resource: our staff, giving continued priority to training and qualifications, not just for Council staff, but also those who provide services on our behalf who work in the independent sector. Qualification levels continue to be the highest in Wales. Recruitment and retention of staff is also at an improved and good level.

Despite many of the challenges we face, I am pleased to report that there has been continued improvement and progress in improving Services so that we meet not just today’s challenges, but we are prepared for the challenges ahead. There has been significant transformation work which has not been easy and I am grateful for the commitment, hard work and desire by managers and staff to provide better services. At the same time there has been strong Political and Corporate support for Social Services in Wrexham which has been crucial to the changes we have been making. The overarching challenge is that we remain focussed on the person who requires our support and the outcomes we are striving to achieve.

We welcome feedback and comment on the contents of this report as we are keen to present a recognisable picture of social services in Wrexham.

Freephone: 0800 587 6708
E-mail: socialservices@wrexham.gov.uk

Social Services Annual Director's Report & Associated Business Plan 2011/12