The Care Inspectorate Wales have been with us again this week and I met with them on Wednesday to talk through our approach as a corporate parent, our progress on safeguarding and the performance of our Children’s Services.
Thanks to Gemma Whyley and Julie Thomas for their support and guidance as the inspection process is an important one if we are to improve our services further. Amongst the areas I felt confident but not complacent about was our performance as a corporate parent and the work done across the organisation to ensure children in our care have the best start in life and are able to realise their ambitions. This is a reflection of the work done for children in care by staff across the council which I’m very proud of and grateful for. This was particularly important as children in care was a key theme for the inspectors.
A good corporate parent should think the same way about the children in its care as any other parent should do. Are they able to achieve their ambitions, experience a good education, feel safe and secure, live free from poverty and enjoy life? There were a number of examples beyond the direct work of social services that I was able to give to demonstrate this commitment, including the measures we’ve taken on housing, education, council tax, the apprenticeship strategy, Beyond Bricks and Mortar and cultural event invites, all of which benefit children in our care and care leavers.
We won’t know the outcome from CIW for some weeks yet but thanks to all the staff involved in the inspection. I hope to thank them in person this afternoon at an event to mark the end of the three-week inspection.
Regionalisation
We’re waiting to hear the next steps in relation to local government reform following the scrapping of compulsory merger proposals. It sounds like another working group is on its way and I’ll be seeking to be represented on it. In the meantime, I’ve spent this week in joint committee meetings for ERW and Western Bay and at the City Deal programme board. The workload associated with all this collaboration is growing massively and following the senior management restructure I’ll be looking at the best way to ensure we’re represented at the various meetings that have filled up my calendar.
There are some significant challenges in relation to ERW which I’ll be working with regional colleagues on and there’s much to be done on the Western Bay collaboration in preparation for Bridgend Council’s departure next April.
Your home, your health
I’ve been working with colleagues in housing, social care and the health board to organise a symposium on housing and health at the Liberty Stadium in October. The links between good housing and good health outcomes are strong and I hope the symposium can help us develop our strategies and investment programmes to help promote independence for older people, combat the scourge of homelessness and tackle the impacts of welfare reform and fuel poverty. I’ll say more about this as the date approaches but if you are interested then you might wish to mark October 5 as a date in your diary.
High 5
The nominations for this year’s High 5 Awards are closing today. Thank you to everyone who’s been involved and to those who’ve nominated young people. I look forward to the judging process and planning the awards night in the autumn.
End of term
As the end of the school year approaches I’d like to thank all the teachers and support staff for their efforts during the year. I’ve been impressed with the performance of schools across the city and this has been evidenced in a series of ESTYN inspection reports throughout the year. Have a well-earned rest and come back refreshed after the summer break as the next cohort of learners will be arriving. Thanks to all.
Best wishes
Another long-serving employee is leaving with Clare Watson setting out for a new life in Brittany. Clare has worked as a specialist teacher for 20 Years and has 37 years’ experience working with pupils with additional learning needs. Based at YG Bryn Tawe during the last 14 years, Clare has provided support to pupils from Welsh medium schools as well as providing essential training across Swansea.
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