By Gavin Mackintosh-
Powys council’s children’s services has been hit by a shock report that has exposed failings in its children’s services.
The report by the the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) found children in Powys were at risk due to disorganization within the council’s children’s services department.
Chief executive Jeremy Patterson has A formal investigation into how the council collected information – and whether performance indicators may have been manipulated is also in the process of being conducted , according to Chief executive Jeremy Patterson. The situation is so serious that the police have been involved over the manipulation of childrens services performance data.
It will cost the council up to £4m to make the “necessary improvements”, and Powys council have 20 days to create an improvement plan after the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) had “serious concerns” in its social services department.
Powys council has apologised and has 90 days to improve or face being taken over by Welsh Government ministers.
“We have already had discussions about that investment,” said council leader Rosemarie Harris.
The CSSIW report’s findings will be discussed by Powys’ full council meeting on Thursday.
“We do have the money to make the improvements that are necessary. It will probably cost around £4m.”
The CSSIW report said there was evidence of missed opportunities to safeguard children and added: “The lack of assessment, intervention and support, together with poor follow up and oversight has and is placing children at considerable risk.”
Ms Harris and Powys council chief executive Jeremy Patterson have met Social Services Minister Rebecca Evans and have drawn up a “comprehensive” improvement plan.
VIDEO RELEASE
In a video released by the council Mr Patterson said it called in CSSIW after it became concerned at “difficulties” within its children’s services.
He said: “As soon as we were alerted to the difficulties in the service we also alerted the social services inspectorate and it is as a result of that the inspectorate undertook their inspection in July of this year.
“They uncovered very serious failings in the service and because of that we’ve embraced the recommendations in a positive manner.”
Council leader Rosemarie Harris, who heads the Independent/Conservative run cabinet, and who has acknowledged the council’s fell short of standards expected, said: “I hope to be able to reassure people the future is good within children’s services.”
Council opposition leader, Liberal Democrat James Gibson-Watt said: “As leader of the opposition on the council I will ensure that all their actions are subjected to the most rigorous scrutiny; and that all council members are regularly provided with the data and performance information they need to provide that scrutiny effectively.
“I and my colleagues will support the cabinet in its endeavours to put right what has gone so badly wrong, but will not hesitate to expose failings whenever they occur. The children and young people of Powys deserve nothing less.”
The revelations are a big disgrace to the services which ought to know better, but have failed its childrens services by manipulating data and also cutting back funds. They shamefully admit they have the funds to make the changes, but decided to hold it back until the report came. This misconduct is typical of alot of organizations who fail those whos interest they should have. Social Services has a long history of misconduct and unprofessionalsim despite the very important duties that come with the job.