To present to Cabinet, the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) Performance Evaluation Report 2014/15 and request that Cabinet note the judgements reached locally about social care services in Bridgend. 

The Corporate Director Social Services and Wellbeing introduced Anne Rowling of the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) who had been the lead inspector in the Annual Review and Evaluation of Performance 2014-15 of the Council’s social services functions. 

The CSSIW Inspector informed Cabinet that the CSSIW had taken into account sources of evidence including the Annual Report of the Director of Social Services including evidence available from inspections, reviews and investigations in compiling the evaluation report.  The CSSIW had also taken into account areas of good practice and areas which had been identified for improvement and follow-up.  The CSSIW Inspector thanked the staff of the Directorate for their support and who had arranged for her to visit various facilities as part of the inspection.  She stated that she was very much aware of the challenges facing social services working in a climate of reduced financial resources which had been taken into account in the evaluation report.  The Inspector was also very much aware of the need for services to change in readiness for the implementation of the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014.  The remodelling programme of adult social care is ongoing and on target.  The Inspector outlined the areas of follow-up, progress and for improvement identified by the CSSIW in adult and children’s services and that it would be conducting thematic reviews of domiciliary care; services for people with learning disabilities and care planning for looked after children.  The Inspector commended the way in which staff had worked with the CSSIW throughout the inspection process and she looked forward to the positive relationships developed with the authority continuing. 

The Leader stated that the Minister was very proud of the new legislation but its implementation would come at a cost although it would be embraced by the Council.  He commended staff for the way in which they had accommodated the CSSIW during the inspection and that Cabinet had strengthened its support for social services with two portfolios having responsibility for social services functions.    

The Cabinet Member Adult Social Care and Health and Wellbeing commented that he looked forward to welcoming the CSSIW back to the authority when it would be conducting the thematic reviews it had identified.  He recognised that pressures in all areas affecting social services are increasing and commended staff on being extremely supportive of service users.  The Cabinet Member Childrens Services and Equalities commented that the CSSIW inspection report is an accurate reflection of where the Council is at and that work is ongoing on the areas identified by the CSSIW for improvement.  She stated that Looked After Children numbers are down to 372 and work was being undertaken through the hubs to safely reduce those numbers. 

The Deputy Leader commented on the positive nature of the report but there was also much work which needed to be done.  He questioned the progress being made with bringing district nursing services in to the integrated referral management centre and increase in the number of referrals.  The Corporate Director Social Services and Wellbeing informed Cabinet that the issue of the increase in referrals would be picked up at the Joint Board and that a Project Manager would be identified.  Progress would be made in relation to the integration of district nursing services into the hubs. 

The Leader on behalf of the Cabinet thanked the Inspector for attending for providing positive feedback on the outcome of the CSSIW inspection.

RESOLVED:               That Cabinet noted the CSSIW Performance Evaluation                                          Report 2014/15.