Gwynedd Council - '...maladministration is so clear and so serious..'
Gwynedd council's Care and Scrutiny Committee held a meeting last week, 13th September, mainly to receive the adult and children's Reports presented by the departments. The recorded meeting can be found here - both in Welsh and English. https://gwynedd.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/372242 The last 30 minutes of the meeting are the most passionate where councillors appear to challenge officers presenting the Report on the lack of support and services for those with 'high functioning' autism and my thanks to all those councillors who challenged the officers and their Reports. We are grateful. How many times have councillors heard officers say the same thing - things are progressing, things are in the pipeline, blah blah blah - for how many years ? I urge the councillors not to fall for the emotional blackmail of the officers saying that other disabled children would miss out and receive a poorer service if children with Autism without a Learning Disability were supported. It is the politics of fear and quite depressing to hear these comments from senior managers in the 'care' field. We believe that ALL children with issues whether physical or neurodevelopmental are important. The 2018 Ombudsman for Wales Investigation Report into our complaint against Gwynedd council makes reference to Grants being available to the council and so how can the Departments use money now as an excuse ? Gwynedd is a large county with a small population. There can not be that many children with Autism who are considered 'high functioning' with needs. ***************** There was back slapping a plenty and much praise for the recently published Inspection Report by the Care Inspectorate for Wales (CIW). But I was hoping for the Care Scrutiny Committee to raise the issues of the other Reports that have recently been published, too. From the Independent Investigation presented to the council in October, 2017, which was so very critical of the Children and Family Department. The Ombudsman for Wales Report in April, 2018 highlighting Maladministration and service failure by the Children and Family Support Department covered the period between 2010 until 2016. There is also the June, 2018 Report of the Data Breach and the Children and Family Department's mishandling of personal information - see previous post. The Ombudsman is currently investigating the council for undue interference in a 'Independent' Investigation and has been given evidence of very poor behaviour by council officers and senior managers. And has anyone sighted the Ombudsman's Report dated 4th July, 2018 ? http://www.lukeclements.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Ombudsman-Gwynedd-Council-report-201700388.pdf In point 69 of that report the Ombudsman for Wales writes -
"69. - In my view, these failings not only caused Mr A a significant injustice but also impacted upon Article 8 of his Human Rights.
However, I have decided that the finding I have made of maladministration is so clear and so serious that to consider the human rights issues further would add little value to my analysis or to the outcome.I have therefore decided to say no more about that."
The Ombudsman also kindly provides a description of Autism for Gwynedd's Service officers and managers and other comments highlight issues within Gwynedd Council relating to ASD.
"A lifelong developmental disability which affects a person’s social interaction, communication, interests and behaviour. The characteristics of ASD vary, with some people finding it hard to understand other people’s emotions and some with restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviour". "....The Council’s available ASD information, including its strategic plan for ASD services, particularly services for those with high functioning ASD, are limited....."
"Additionally, the Council’s failure to ensure that its officers receive appropriate ASD training and have an ASD strategy in place places not only Mr A, but other service users in its area at risk of having services cut or stopped because the reviewing officers do not understand the effects of ASD or there is nothing suitable available."
There appears to be a pattern of behaviour within Gwynedd council to see the disabled and the most vulnerable as 'low hanging fruit' and to deny and remove support in an attempt to save money.
In our case the boy is soon to be a man, but social workers have already told us that he will not be eligible for support from adult services (even before an assessment by adult services) and that there are no services for 'Vulnerable Adults' or autistic adults (or children) in this area.
And where is the Children and Family's Annual Complaint handling Report ?
Something is so very wrong within Gwynedd council.
https://gwyneddsfailingcouncil.blogspot.com/
