Running a large organisation isn’t just about good management, it’s about inspirational leadership. We have a vision of where we want to go, and we’re taking our staff on that journey with us, by including them all the way in the planning and communication of our transformation programme.
Transformation programme
The Transformation Programme has at its centre a Project Board which includes the Director of Social Services, Heads of Service from Adult Social Services, Children and Families services, Education and Community Development Service. The Council Member who hold the Social Services portfolio also attends, along with representation from the Scrutiny committee. Following a Cabinet decision, the portfolio holder for Education and Skills also attends.
The Programme has a Quality Assurance Group, made up mainly of Elected Members, including the Older People’s champion (The Leader) and the Carer’s Champion. This group has an opportunity to consider the progress of projects and programme at various stages.
A session to inform the wider group of Members of the progress of the Social Services Transformation programme was also provided and well attended. The purpose was to present the recommendations from the research phase of the programme. All members have copies of the programme newsletter, which publishes every two months.
Staff road shows have also taken place to provide staff with an opportunity to be informed of progress, and of the recommendations being put forward, to shape the next stage of the programme. Further staff roadshows will be arranged this year involving the senior managers.
Senior Managers within the service have been nominated as project executives for the change projects in the programme, having responsibility for the delivery of the projects. Training is being offered to support them in their role as project executives.
The transformation programme is also now a standard agenda item at the Service Managers meetings which occur monthly, and regular briefing meetings with the Social Care and Health portfolio holder have been arranged for the coming year.
More than words – Mwy Na Geiriau
As referenced in last year’s report, we are pleased to report that the strategy is being implemented in Conwy and we are dedicated to ensuring a person centred approach is in place which promotes the needs of Welsh speakers.
We have a dedicated board to focus on the strategy and action plan, and some of our efforts over the last year include:
- Raising awareness of the strategy with our residential and domiciliary care providers.
- Showing the DVD to groups of staff across the council.
- Ensuring that customer facing information is provided bilingually eg assessments and care plans.
- Developing guidance on what we mean by an ‘active offer’ of language choice to ensure our front facing customer care team or any first point of contact gets it right.
- We have made this a priority for the council and it has featured in our six key themes initiative.
- The Director of Social Services is the Welsh Language champion within the department and a cabinet member holds the position on behalf of the council.