Written - Written Statement by Deputy Minister to provide an update on the response to the recent Vale of Glamorgan Case Management Inquiry Report

Assembly Members will recall my written statement of May 19th 2009 about the case of a young man who had been placed with a family by the Vale of Glamorgan’s Adult Placement Scheme and was convicted of sexually abusing the children of the family.  My statement followed the publication, by the authority, of a Case Management Inquiry Report on May 18th.  This is a sad and concerning matter that has caused harm and distress to a family who were providing a service to their community.

The report reiterated the authority’s acknowledgement that mistakes had been made and it’s apology to the family.  The report was accompanied by an action plan to tackle the issues identified.  The authority has also taken some immediate actions such as changes to the arrangements for the management and oversight of the leaving care and intake and assessment services.    The Local Safeguarding Children Board is undertaking a Serious Case Review into the children who were harmed.

 I have given the report very serious consideration.  I have taken advice from the Chief Inspector and officials about the most appropriate response in order to ensure that lessons are learned by the Vale of Glamorgan and that they have taken actions to resolve the issues identified and to help prevent such circumstances arising again.

There is a history of concerns about social services in the Vale of Glamorgan.  The most recent Joint Review, published in February 2007, identified that the authority had mainly good services but was uncertainly placed to sustain and further improve services.  Since then the authority has been engaged in a comprehensive and wide ranging ‘Change Plan’.  This has led to signs of improvement in the authority particularly in relation to the engagement and oversight of the political and corporate bodies and some aspects of children’s services.  In considering the most appropriate response to this case it has been important to ensure that this improvement can be maintained while also focusing on monitoring that the action plan put in place following the publication of their case management inquiry has led to the necessary change and improvement.  

The Chief Inspector has decided that Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales should undertake a review of the authority, with a specific focus on the particular issues raised by this case.  This is in addition to any enforcement action that may be necessary, in relation to the Adult Placement Scheme, under the care Standards Act 2000.

The review will take place later this year when the action plan that the authority has set itself has been completed allowing CSSIW to assess  that appropriate changes and progress have been made.  An inspection of the authority’s Adult Placement Scheme has taken place.  CSSIW will continue to discuss the Vale’s delivery of Social Services as part of the new arrangements for the review and inspection of local authorities

In my view this is the most appropriate way, at this stage, to provide assurance that the authority has responded to the issues identified by the case.  I intend to meet lead politicians from the authority to impress upon them my concern about the issues that the case has raised and the importance that their planned actions address the particular and systemic issues that led to this case occurring.

I have also written to all Directors of Social Services in Wales to alert them to the case and am considering whether any changes to the Regulations or National Minimum Standards for Adult Placement Schemes are required.  Additionally I am considering, in the light of the changes that are already proposed within the Children and Young Persons Act 2008 that will be  consulted upon in the near future, whether there are any further children’s policy issues to be addressed, including those related to the transition to adulthood for vulnerable young people, including young people with a disability.  

Assembly Members will know of the national review of arrangements to safeguard children by CSSIW   Parallel work that focuses on safeguarding adults will commence in October. Any lessons from those reviews will also be drawn into CSSIW’s inspection of the Vale’s services in the autumn.