Argyll & Bute Council Social Work ‘Must Improve’

The quality of social work services in Argyll and Bute has to “significantly” improve, a watchdog has warned. The Social Work Inspection Agency (SWIA) examined all aspects of the local authority’s social work services.

Its report found weaknesses in leadership, planning and modernisation of services for the elderly, but did highlight some signs of improvement.

Argyll and Bute Council said an action plan to address the issues raised was being given the “highest priority”.

The SWIA said it found a mixed picture of how services were performing, with some strengths but weaknesses evident in leadership.

Inspectors found staff worked well but many lacked confidence in leadership at the most senior level.

The modernisation and development of services for older people was assessed as having been slow.

Feedback from people who used services was mixed, with those who were in receipt of support being generally positive – while others highlighted difficulties in accessing information and delays in receiving assistance following assessment.

It also noted, however, that the social work service had begun to address improvement in assessment and care planning.

SWIA chief inspector Alexis Jay said: “Our conclusion is that there is scope for significant improvement.

“We have made a number of recommendations but we recognise that the council is committed to addressing the necessary improvement.

“This has been evidenced by the progress made in recent months. We will now work with the council to agree an action plan in response to this report.”

The council stressed the report noted the progress that had been made in recent months.

Council leader Dick Walsh said the inspection took place at an “unsettled time” in Argyll and Bute as they were implementing changes arising from their own social work review.

Mr Walsh said: “Much of the work towards further improvement is under way, with good progress having been made this year already with the implementation of the social work review.

“I am confident that the new council will provide our workforce with the leadership required to make Argyll and Bute a leading rural authority which provides services which we can be proud of.”

The council’s social services spokesman, Donald McIntosh, said: “I have recently toured social work offices and spoken first hand to staff who are, on the whole, positive about the changes in the departmental structure and are committed to achieving better outcomes for those we support.”

The implementation of improvements will be monitored over the next 15 months.

Inspectors carried out their assessment between February and June.