Caerphilly County Borough Council recently endorsed a report outlining the successes and challenges in delivering social services during the last financial year.
The Annual Report of the Director of Social Services and Housing, which was endorsed at a full Council meeting on Tuesday 17 January, reflects on performance during 2021/22 as well as outlining priorities for the future.
Key achievements listed in the report for 2021/22 include:
- The establishment of a group of parents of people with autism to help inform services.
- Supporting staff to further develop their knowledge and skills by undertaking a Social Work Degree.
- Support for unpaid carers, using the small grants scheme; along with issuing 194 leisure memberships to unpaid carers, of which 28 were to young carers.
- Increased the number of unpaid carers on the Council’s mailing list from 1303 to 1727 to provide them with information, support and advice. The team also organised numerous events and individual activities for unpaid carers, which saw a total of 1388 people take part.
- A coffee shop was opened in Pontllanfraith, staffed by individuals who previously attended day services, to provide employment opportunities for people with a learning disability.
- The report acknowledges challenges facing Social Services including difficulties recruiting and retaining care staff. The Council is working hard locally, with other local authorities and with Welsh Government to try to rectify this UK wide problem.
Key priorities identified for the current year are also outlined in the report and include:
- The development of a framework, through regional partnership working, to support unpaid carers.
- Progressing the development of respite houses for adults and children.
- Expand residential care and supported accommodation for young people across the borough.
- Further expand the South East Wales Shared Lives Scheme to provide a service for older adults with mental health problems.
- Provide more opportunities to employ people with a learning disability on the Council’s terms and conditions.
Cllr Elaine Forehead, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Social Care, said “Social Services has faced significant challenges in recent years but, despite these, Caerphilly continues to perform well and deliver person-centred services. We’re committed to building on these successes and listening to feedback from service users to continuously improve social care services in the borough.”
