POSITIVE REPORT FOR ARGYLL AND BUTE SOCIAL WORK SERVICES
Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2009 10:26 pmPOSITIVE REPORT FOR ARGYLL AND BUTE SOCIAL WORK SERVICES
Social work services in Argyll and Bute are continuing to significantly improve, according to the national inspection agency.
A follow-up report published today (Monday, April 27) by the Social Work Inspection Agency (SWIA) highlights the good progress made on the recommendations of its original report of October 2007.
Inspectors also found that service users and carers believe that the communication they have with Argyll and Bute Council’s social services team, and their involvement in the care process, has improved.
Among the particular areas of progress identified by SWIA in today’s report are:
• The improvement in educational attainment of the Council’s looked after children (2007/08 performance above the national average) and the increase in the number of young people leaving Council care who are in employment, training or further education (60% in 2005/06 to 93% in 2007/08).
• The improved performance in relation to free personal care, with Argyll and Bute Council having jumped from 26th out of Scotland’s 32 local authorities in 2005/06 to 6th in 2007/08 in terms of the number of home care clients aged over 65 receiving free personal care.
• A significant reduction in the number of children placed outwith the authority (31 in 2005/06 to 18 in 2007/08).
•Parentshave noted improvements in social work services’ engagement with them and their involvement in the development of services.
• Argyll and Bute is meeting its target in ensuring that no older person is unduly delayed in being discharged from hospital into suitable accommodation.
•Socialwork services staff at all levels are positive about the perceived openness and the opportunity to influence how services are shaped.
Councillor Donald McIntosh, Argyll and Bute’s spokesperson on Social Services, is pleased that the report reflects the achievements of the last 18 months.
“The SWIA inspectors have recognised the hard work and dedication of all staff in improving the service, and the results of that work to date. Indeed, they have found progress has been made on every recommendations found in the original report,” he said.
“The level of commitment shown in addressing the relevant issues has been exemplary. We have worked closely with our stakeholders, staff and local communities to make all our services more responsive to local needs.
“Despite the clear progress being made, we will not be complacent. We remain committed to continuously seeking ways of improving the service we provide to all service users and their carers across Argyll and Bute.”
NOTES TO NEWS EDITORS
A copy of the follow up report can be found at http://www.swia.gov.uk/swia/files/Argyl ... 202009.pdf
Social work services in Argyll and Bute are continuing to significantly improve, according to the national inspection agency.
A follow-up report published today (Monday, April 27) by the Social Work Inspection Agency (SWIA) highlights the good progress made on the recommendations of its original report of October 2007.
Inspectors also found that service users and carers believe that the communication they have with Argyll and Bute Council’s social services team, and their involvement in the care process, has improved.
Among the particular areas of progress identified by SWIA in today’s report are:
• The improvement in educational attainment of the Council’s looked after children (2007/08 performance above the national average) and the increase in the number of young people leaving Council care who are in employment, training or further education (60% in 2005/06 to 93% in 2007/08).
• The improved performance in relation to free personal care, with Argyll and Bute Council having jumped from 26th out of Scotland’s 32 local authorities in 2005/06 to 6th in 2007/08 in terms of the number of home care clients aged over 65 receiving free personal care.
• A significant reduction in the number of children placed outwith the authority (31 in 2005/06 to 18 in 2007/08).
•Parentshave noted improvements in social work services’ engagement with them and their involvement in the development of services.
• Argyll and Bute is meeting its target in ensuring that no older person is unduly delayed in being discharged from hospital into suitable accommodation.
•Socialwork services staff at all levels are positive about the perceived openness and the opportunity to influence how services are shaped.
Councillor Donald McIntosh, Argyll and Bute’s spokesperson on Social Services, is pleased that the report reflects the achievements of the last 18 months.
“The SWIA inspectors have recognised the hard work and dedication of all staff in improving the service, and the results of that work to date. Indeed, they have found progress has been made on every recommendations found in the original report,” he said.
“The level of commitment shown in addressing the relevant issues has been exemplary. We have worked closely with our stakeholders, staff and local communities to make all our services more responsive to local needs.
“Despite the clear progress being made, we will not be complacent. We remain committed to continuously seeking ways of improving the service we provide to all service users and their carers across Argyll and Bute.”
NOTES TO NEWS EDITORS
A copy of the follow up report can be found at http://www.swia.gov.uk/swia/files/Argyl ... 202009.pdf
