Mixed performance by Welsh councils

Welsh councils are struggling to improve social services quickly
enough and “significant risks” remain across all service areas,
Audit Commission Wales has warned.

The commission’s annual report for 2003-4 on the country’s 22
departments says councils need to improve the quality and
consistency of assessments and care planning, the commissioning of
services to meet assessed need and the use of resources. There is
still not enough focus on outcomes for service users and carers,
while a cross-sector approach to workforce planning is also needed,
it adds.

“Many councils [are] struggling to achieve the pace and level of
improvement required,” the report says.

However, the commission says risk levels have at least reduced
slightly across all client groups when compared with the previous
year.