Conwy warned of uncertain prospects

Weak management of cases and lack of stated standards have  been
blamed for a variable quality of social services at Conwy Council
in north Wales.

Some people are served well but the prospects for improvement
are uncertain, said the joint review report by the Audit Commission
and Social Services Inspectorate for Wales.
Services were found to be concentrated in council offices rather
than in the community and not flexible enough to meet individual
needs.

But, overall, users valued the services and spoke positively
about the work and commitment of staff.
During the past year there has been significant success in
development of good relations with partner agencies, says the
report.
Meanwhile, a joint review of Thurrock in Essex found that social
services were serving most people well and prospects were
promising.

The review found that the department was committed to
partnership working and other agencies praised its joint working
arrangements.

But the department faces a major financial threat as the council
tries to balance its books for the first time since its inception
in 1998.