Inspection report finds Powys struggling to modernise social services

An inspection into adult social services at Powys County Council has revealed the local authority has failed to deliver on an earlier inspection which highlighted an urgent need to modernise the delivery of adult social services.

A new Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) inspection report said that, despite introducing of new contract arrangements with domiciliary care providers, care was “flawed in concept, design, and delivery”, and that senior managers were not experienced in this area.

Following the inspection, carried out between March and May this year, the report said: “The arrangements for the subcontracting of care through the main providers resulted in the council not having a clear line of sight on the quality and consistency of care provided by these agencies.

“Indeed, delayed transfers of care from hospital increased during 2014/15.”

The report added: “Powys faces a very demanding and ambitious schedule to modernise social services and the failure of the commissioning framework for domiciliary care has made this more difficult.

“The prospects therefore are uncertain and questions remain about the future arrangements.”

Inspectors made the following recommendations: 

• The arrangements for commissioning social care need to be clarified and strengthened, while the approach to commissioning services should also make greater use of service user and carer experiences and facilitate a wider conversation about what future service models might look like.
• The Council needs to strengthen its relationships with and oversight of domiciliary care providers operating in Powys, including setting up regular meetings and clear lines of communication with the commissioning managers to address ongoing concerns and queries.
• The Council should develop a more integrated approach to services for older people with Powys Teaching Health Board. The future integrated service model must be supported by clear governance arrangements that include financial commitments and management accountability. Opportunities to build workforce capacity such as care apprenticeships should be considered, as well as potential barriers such as housing and transport.
• The new adult safeguarding management structures and reporting mechanisms must be secured and established as a priority, to ensure that the Designated Lead Managers are supported in their responsibilities and there is consistent reporting, decision making and oversight at an appropriately senior level.
• The low uptake of carer assessments needs to be further investigated to understand the needs of this group of people and how they can be supported in their role.

Despite this the CSSIW also noted that the quality of care had improved since April, while the council saying “significant progress” had been made.

Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams said: “I take absolutely no pleasure in reading this report which confirms those concerns were realised,” she said.

“Whilst the report says things are improving I continue to receive complaints that there is still a lack of staff available, people remain trapped in hospital and there is still a great uncertainty for staff.

“So clearly there is a way to go before people in Powys have the service they need and deserve.”

To download the full report, visit: http://cssiw.org.uk/our-reports/local-authority-report/2015/150810-inspection-adult-services-powys/?lang=en