A FORMER Blaenau Gwent social worker has been struck off after forming a sexual relationship with a service user over 15 years.

Outside experts will continue to oversee the work of Swansea council’s social services department a year after they were first appointed.

Mental health issues are costing the Welsh economy as much as £7.2 billion a year, a report has claimed. At present, the country spends some £6.1 billion on health and social care geared towards treating a range of mental health issues, including depression and anxiety.

FRESH demands were made yesterday for an independent inquiry following allegations over the running of a child protection department.

POLICE and council officials have apologised for the failures in the care of three children who died aged 16. The details of the circumstances leading to the deaths of Carly Townsend, from Llanelli, Kyle Bates, from Hafod, and a Swansea school pupil Chloe Nicole Davies were revealed yesterday.

A more consultative approach to the regulation of social work has been signalled by the head of the Care Council for Wales.

PLANS to renovate a derelict Valleys hospital and transform it into a state-of-the-art facility for mental health patients have been submitted to Caerphilly council.

A child minder at Llangefni on Anglesey could be “struck off” after an investigation which began last year.

MENTAL health problems cost Wales more than £7 billion a year, an NHS report published today says. About half the cost – equivalent to 7% of Wales’s GDP – comes from providing health and social care, and from lost economic output.

RECRUITING social workers from abroad will cost Swansea Council up to £6,600 a time. The Post revealed last week how the authority was sending three staff to America to interview candidates due to a shortage of skilled social workers in the UK.