International recognition for city’s social services

HIGH-QUALITY social services which are attracting attention from experts around the world are keeping vulnerable people safe and helping save millions of pounds a year, a report to Council this week will say.

The council’s pioneering ‘Signs of Safety’ initiative aims to keep children safe and prevent them having to be looked after by the council is delivering dividends for children, their families and their communities.

And it’s been so successful experts from around the world are sitting up, taking notice and seeking to learn from the Swansea way.

‘Signs of Safety’ is one of the highlights of the Chief Social Services Officer’s annual report to Council which looks at how well services for children, vulnerable adults and the frail and elderly are performing.

Another highlight is progress being made in transforming adult social services (TASS) where the council is implementing a strengths-based approach to care which supports older residents to live safe and independent lives at home for as long as possible.

David Howes, Chief Social Services Officer, said he was also particularly proud of the way staff across the council and councillors were committing themselves to be being part of the safeguarding story.

He said: “We were shortlisted for a major UK award because we have taken a whole-council approach to safeguarding. We believe helping keep our children and vulnerable adults safe is the job of everyone at the council and that’s having a very positive impact on our strengths-based approach to care.”

Mr Howes said: “Signs of Safety is about communities working together to identify vulnerable children at a very early stage so we can work with families, children, health, education and other organisations to address their issues long before they become so acute we have to look at taking children into care.

“Signs of Safety is not an easy option because it takes skill, commitment and a huge amount of teamwork. Children and their families have a say in what happens and what our social workers often see is families transformed and children having opportunities to realise their potential.”

He said: “It’s what we call a strengths-based approach and it’s something we are starting to roll out in adult social care as well, in line with Welsh Government legislation.”

Christine Richards, Cabinet Member for Vulnerable Children and Adults, said: “We are identifying and helping more children and families with complex needs and by early intervention and prevention we’re reducing demand for formal social services intervention. That’s good news for the council because is helping reduce costs.

“But always first and foremost is how much of a difference it is safely making to the lives of children. Keeping children safe is always the number one priority.”

The Chief Social Services Officer’s annual report says re-ablement services for older people being pioneered at Bonymaen House and Ty Waunarlwydd are helping older people to return to their own homes after a period of illness rather than go into residential care.

Jane Harris, Cabinet Member for Older People, said: “Our aim is to enable vulnerable adults and older people to live safe, healthy, fulfilled and independent lives in their own homes and within their communities.

“It’s a shared ambition because it’s what the people we support tell us they want. They want a strong voice in the care they receive and that’s what we are ensuring they get.”