Inspectors say Moray’s social work services have improved

SOCIAL work services in Moray have improved over the past two years, according to an inspection report.

The local authority has made progress in implementing recommendations laid down two years ago by the Social Work Inspection Agency (SWIA), a follow-up investigation has found.

The report, published today, recognises that some of the 16 recommendations have been implemented in full, while “good or reasonable” progress has been made in other areas.

Results of the 2007 inspection were mixed, with four areas of social services rated as good, five as adequate and one as weak.

Community services director Sandy Riddell welcomed the report.

“Staff have worked hard at taking forward SWIA’s recommendations, and this report shows a significantly improved position from 2007,” he said.

“There is still more to be done, but SWIA’s feedback is encouraging.”

Chairman of the children and young people’s services committee, Councillor Jeff Hamilton, said: “Overall, this is a very positive report from inspectors.

“The recent report on the follow-up inspection of child protection services and this report on social work both confirm that we are heading in the right direction and making steady progress in improving our services.”

The SWIA also recognises that some areas of the council’s service do still require improvement.

Councillor Lee Bell, chairman of the health and social care services committee, welcomed improvements in key areas, including communication with staff, staff training, strengthened commissioning arrangements and improvements to carers’ services. “I am particularly impressed by the acknowledgement by SWIA that there has been a significant turnaround in community care during the past two years,” he said.

“Our staff have done well under difficult circumstances.”