News

By Roger Dobson

Clwyd councillors have re corded their confidence in the care provided by the social services department to a 16-year-old boy despite the fact he hanged himself while in care.

Social services director John Jevons has launched an inquiry into the circumstances of the suicide of Craig Wilson, who had been living with care workers in a bungalow.

Councillors have met privately to discuss the case and recorded that they had 'every confidence' in the care provided by the department.

A note to that private meeting says: 'The Welsh Office has been kept informed and the director of social services has instigated a review of the circumstances surrounding the boy's death and to identify any lessons to be learned.'

The report notes that there had been some local criticism of care provided at the time of his death, but that it was rejected. The council says that the bungalow project at Trelogan had been chosen specifically for the teenager.

Divisional director Meirion Hughes said: 'Craig was supported by a group of committed staff who worked extremely hard to support him to come to terms with some long standing problems in his life.'

The death of the teenager was said to have deeply upset the care staff who were working with him in the independent living project.

The note also says that the boy had experienced difficulties throughout his life. A formal verdict of suicide has been recorded by the North Wales Coroner. Craig's suicide had no connection with any inquiries and investigations that have been held in Clwyd over the past few years.

* Clwyd has been ordered by the ombudsman to pay compensation for delays in adapting the home of a disabled woman. The ombudsman found that there was maladministration by the council in its failure to respond efficiently and promptly to the complainant's request.

The council has accepted it was in the wrong and has decided to pay compensation of £800 to the woman.