Head inspector for Wales moves on

The chief inspector of social services in Wales is leaving the post after seven years.

Graham Williams, who is taking up a new role in the NHS, joined the Social Services Inspectorate for Wales at a time when services were struggling, culminating in highly critical inspections of Blaenau Gwent and Cardiff social services departments.

However, he told Community Care last week that there had been signs of improvement in recent years.

He said: “Social services wasn’t being seen as key by some councils and there was a lack of leadership among officers and members in those that were struggling. We’ve been able to highlight where improvements were needed. There’s a long way to go but it’s improving.”

Williams also played a role in ensuring Wales’s social services departments were not split up as they have been in England. He said: “There was a belief – one I thought was right – that one person should remain accountable.”

His deputy, Richard Tebboth, will take over as acting chief inspector.