City Council Responds To Social Work Inspection Agency Report

Councillor Elaine McDougall, Glasgow City Council’s Executive Member for Social Work Services, has commented on the publication of the Social Work Inspection Agency’s report on social services within Glasgow.

Inspectors from the agency visited Glasgow towards the end of 2006 to interview users of social services, management and staff while also studying policy documents and case files. The report found that Glasgow was delivering good outcomes for service users, in particularly for the elderly and people with addiction problems.

Indeed, the people who used social work services in the city considered they were treated with dignity and respect. Senior managers had taken bold steps to try to improve services and with strong corporate and political backing for social work within Glasgow. Finances were well managed.

Councillor McDougall said: “We note this report’s acknowledgement that Glasgow presents the biggest challenge to social workers out of any local authority in Scotland. The report clearly states that high levels of poverty and deprivation have led to high levels of demand for services. But still Glasgow’s social work service is able to deliver good outcomes for its clients while ensuring finances are kept in order.

“It’s a tribute to the commitment, skill and experience of staff that we are able to achieve this difficult balance between quality of care and its cost.  Examining the detail of the report shows how far our social work services have come in recent years.”

David Comley, Director of the Council’s Social Work Services, believes the report can act as a catalyst for further advances in social care within Glasgow. “We will look carefully at the recommendations made by the report and factor them into our action plan. Many of the recommendations are already being addressed and through an open and frank dialogue with SWIA, we are certain we can make improvements where required.

“But we believe we have already laid down foundations which will tackle the long term, deep seated social problems faced by the city. The establishment of five Community Health and Care Partnerships in Glasgow was a radical step for which the city deserves enormous credit. While our structure has provided a template for other local authorities, it is beginning to deliver to Glasgow the kind of health and social care dividend we hoped it would.

“Innovative partnerships have also significantly improved services around homelessness and addictions. Our ambitious homeless hostel closure programme is nearing completion and greater numbers of people with addiction issues are re-entering education, training and jobs. Across the city there are now far higher levels of collaboration and co-operation  around every group from young people right through to our senior citizens.

“By working so closely with partner agencies we are making it easier for us to reach the people who need our care the most. We have a programme for progress in Glasgow’s social work services and by making the necessary adjustments we can reinforce the positive strides we have been taking.”