At the end of every financial year the Statutory Director of Social Services is required to publish a report to set out the Local Authority’s improvement journey in providing services to the residents of Conwy, those who access information, advice and assistance, and those individuals and carers in receipt of care and support. The report uses information from a variety of different sources to demonstrate and evidence how we are promoting well-being and accounting for the delivery of quality standards. The report is part of the Welsh Government’s Performance and Improvement Framework and is integral to our social services planning, scrutiny and performance improvement actions. It also enables Welsh Government to collate and understand data and evidence on the delivery of care and support across Wales.
You will notice that this year’s report looks a little different. The original guidance, issued in 2017 by the Welsh Government and the Association of the Directors of Social Services Cymru, has been updated in 2023 to reflect new developments, and feedback from local authorities and stakeholders.
The annual report and reporting process will be integral to our planning, scrutiny and performance improvement actions. There is now more emphasis on self-assessment of performance, which includes what has been achieved and done well, and what improvements are needed, informed by feedback from services users, the public and partners. We’ll tell you about actions planned and taken to achieve improvements, and progress made against improvement priorities identified in the previous year.
The foundations for the new Performance and Improvement Framework are eight quality standards that represent people’s well-being under the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014. These fall under four headings: People, Prevention, Partnership and Integration, and Well-being.
- All people are equal partners who have voice, choice and control over their lives and are able to achieve what matters to them.
- Effective leadership is evident at all levels with a highly skilled, well qualified and supported workforce working towards a shared vision.
- The need for care and support is minimised and the escalation of need is prevented, whilst ensuring that the best possible outcomes for people are achieved.
- Resilience within our communities is promoted and people are supported to fulfil their potential by actively encouraging and supporting people who need care and support, including carers, to learn, develop and participate in society.
- Effective partnerships are in place to commission and deliver fully integrated, high quality sustainable outcomes for people.
- People are encouraged to be involved in the design and delivery of their care and support as equal partners.
- People are protected and safeguarded from abuse and neglect, and any other types of harm.
- People are supported to actively manage their well-being and make their own informed decisions so that they are able to achieve their full potential and live independently for as long as possible.