Council publishes ‘Director of Social Services Annual Report 2024’

Bridgend County Borough Council has published its Director of Social Services Annual Report, following a presentation of the highlights to Council on plans for improving the service, and reflecting on the significant progress made over the last financial year, but also highlighting the challenges of meeting levels of need in a difficult financial context for local government.

The statutory annual report provides an overview of social services delivered across the county borough, drawing on evidence from a wide range of sources, such as feedback from both staff and people with care and support, key performance indicators, and measurements of progress against the overall council objectives.

The report is written for a wide range of people, including staff members and supported individuals, but also elected members, local authority staff, and a range of partners and providers who help deliver services.

Crucially, this year’s report highlights the dedication of the council’s social services workforce, starting with thanking them, for working tirelessly to care and support people often at the most difficult and challenging times of their lives.

The report celebrates success, acknowledges areas of good performance while noting significant changes and improvements in practice and service delivery despite increased demand and financial challenges. Recognised improvement and reliable performance were particularly evident in management oversight, quality assurance, and integrated community teams.

However, it also highlights challenges and risks including financial constraints, high demand for services, and whilst there is evidence of significant improvements - workforce retention. The report outlines strategies to address these issues, including the strategic plans for children, families and adults, a budget recovery plan fundamentally focusing on Practice Models to financial sustainability, and significantly improved retention, recruitment, and future workforce planning.

The key priorities for the council’s social services in 2024/25 include improving engagement with people with care and support needs, continuing to support the workforce, building on strengths of joint working and partnerships, and finally continuing to embed new social work practices and technology that are geared towards sustainable social care.

Wellbeing of both the workforce and the individuals supported remains the top priority for the directorate and is essential in continuing to make excellent progress in supporting the people and communities of Bridgend County Borough.

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Social Services, Health and Wellbeing, Councillor Jane Gebbie said: “This annual report is a crucial exercise in evaluating the effectiveness of Social Services and Wellbeing in Bridgend County Borough.

“It provides the Director of Social Services with the opportunity to advise the Leader and Cabinet of Bridgend County Borough Council on the journey of improvements and successes in 2023/24, and how well the council is meeting statutory requirements under the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014.

“It also highlights positive changes that have taken place within social services to achieve progress towards national well-being outcomes.

“We wish to acknowledge our workforce for embracing significant changes, new ways of working and models of best practice, against the backdrop of continued increases in demand and need and to the director themselves for the invaluable leadership she has shown, throughout what has been, a challenging backdrop of increased demand and complexity.

“I’d like to thank you for all for your hard work and support in achieving good results, and we look forward to working together in 2024/2025 to achieve even greater things.”