Swansea Council on right track in delivering social services

SWANSEA is leading the way when it comes to looking after our elderly, it has been claimed.

A spokesman for Swansea Council claimed it was already following much of the good practice outlined in a Welsh Government white paper, the Social Services and Well Being (Wales) Bill, which was introduced to the National Assembly for Wales in January, and is currently being scrutinised.

Projects in the city such as social opportunities clubs, the Ty Waunarlwydd centre for dementia care and short-term respite services are all helping older people and vulnerable adults live more independent lives in their own homes.

Phil Hodgson, Swansea’s Director of Social Services, said: “The social care system is facing fundamental challenges over the coming years. Our TASS programme is about addressing these challenges and also about helping people remain independent.

“TASS puts people and communities at the heart of social care and ensuring that people with disabilities, older people and carers have more choice and control over how they are supported.”

He said the change in working was already having a positive impact on older people and adults who used social services across the city.

Mr Hodgson added: “The TASS programme is not just about older people. From the point of view of people with learning disabilities or mental health issues, exciting ways of working have focused on what service users can achieve by and for themselves, which has seen some people who use one of our Mental Health Day Services transforming themselves into tutors and passing on a variety of skills to their peers.

“Our Flexible Support Services teams have helped young adults with Learning Disabilities gain the confidence to carry out adult tasks such as getting the bus to a social event and buying their lunch. That sense of independence is critical to the wellbeing of adults of all ages.”