Staff ‘relief’ at exposed failings in Swansea child services

UNDER-FIRE council staff were relieved when a report flagged up the failings in Swansea’s child services department.

Staff were glad change was coming, following the catalogue of concerns raised by a review of the service, according to a report from inspectors.

The review highlighted a series of failings — and said there was no certainty that recent improvements within the department would continue. The study, conducted by Care and Social Services Inspectorate Cymru (CSSIW), was presented to councillors at a specially convened meeting this week, following an inspection of the service last August.

The report follows an earlier report in 2007, and acknowledges some progress made to the service between inspections.

But in all key areas, including leadership, planning and support, it concludes Swansea Council is “uncertainly placed” to sustain and improve services.

The report follows an Assembly Government decision, taken for the first time, to bring in its own intervention board to ensure the department is up to standard.