Welcome to the Directors Annual Report looking back on 2022/2023. We continue to demonstrate enthusiasm and innovation in our service delivery, despite challenging budgetary times.
There have been some significant developments over the year that have contributed to our strategic direction and we have really good endorsement from service users and carers who continually feed back to us, using a range of methods. Complaints have reduced but we continually learn from them, and we received over 100 compliments, which is testament to the appreciation of our offer in the county.
We have been working hard on our approach to being inclusive and not stigmatising, and I am very pleased to see our shift towards using language that young people tell us is more respectful and in touch with how they view themselves. Such examples include moving away from traditional terms and using ‘children looked after’ in all of our methods of communication.
We have increased our offer for those affected by dementia, and embraced an ethos of team around the person affected, and building on what matters most to them. This is a key part of our support for adults, as we see an increase in the early identification of dementia and how early intervention and support can then really be effective.
Our care leaver offer has improved and the team are participating in some ground breaking research to consider innovative practice models and how this can be scaled up into a national training package. This also complements the pilot for care leavers accessing the basic income and how this steady income stream can make such a difference.
The Youth Justice Service has worked hard to develop a supportive and effective early intervention model, refining their roles and also working on an improved governance structure. This has really paid off for those who access the service.
We are very proud of the launch of the Mental Wellness Recovery College, an approach that has been an aspiration for some time. Additional grant funding has now enabled us to progress this, and we have plans to enhance the offer in the coming year.
As ever we don’t stand still and have an ambitious programme of work ahead. We continue to make considered efforts to make sure our services are as efficient as possible, however this can come at a cost to quality, as resources are diminished. Nevertheless, we look forward to progressing with our plans, and the most significant programme of work ahead will involve transforming children’s care experiences, especially those in high cost placements.
I want to express my thanks to staff yet again for another productive year despite pressures and challenges. I am hugely proud to lead the service and look forward to the next chapter.
Jenny Williams
Strategic Director of Social Care and Education Services
Conwy County Borough Council