Cyngor Gwynedd Council - Autism And Disability Fail.
With regard to the statements made by Cyngor Gwynedd Council CEO, Dilwyn O Williams and the senior safeguarding and quality officer, Dafydd Paul, to the recent Care Scrutiny Committee, The statements were given by the officer's in response to the 'daming' Report from the Ombudsman for Wales into the Children and Familiy Department revealed at a previous full Council meeting by a local Councillor. Dilwyn Williams, confirmed to the Scrutiny Committee, that all recommendations had been met 'bar a nuance' and goes on to mention a 'miscommunication' with the Ombudsman - amongst other things. This was not correct.. The Ombudsman has explained that his meeting with the CEO, in Cardiff, to discuss compliance - or more accurately non compliance was not normal. The CEO has since claimed that he and his officer's did not comply as they had misunderstood the Ombudsman's recommendations. But the Ombudsman's Recommendations are clear and simply written. Comments were made by Dafydd Paul in particular that the Ombudsman had 'challenged' the Council to contact the family regardless of their wishes. The Ombudsman for Wales is well aware of our thoughts regarding Gwynedd council SS officer's and has confirmed that neither himself nor any of his officer's told the council to contact the family - in any way ! We have asked both the CEO and Dafydd Paul for an explanation but they have not, as yet, responded. Gwynedd SS have failed to present another Ombudsman's Report, dated July,2018, for scrutiny. This case involved a young man with autism and mental health issues being left to rot in bed after Gwynedd Adult SS withdrew his support. The council has not fully complied with recommendations made in this case either, though the Ombudsman appears to have signed this off as completed. The FOI - answered by the Ombudsman "in the public interest" - clearly shows that the original recommendation ensuring the council fully complies with the Law has not been completed. Undertakes a review of its ASD procedures, specifically those for adults and children with high functioning ASD, and ensure that the requirements of the SSWA 2014, MHM 2010 and ASD SAP have been met. All five Omudsman Reports over the last four years have shown major concerns and serious failings with how Gwynedd council officer's treat autistics and the disabled in the county. The recent Employment Tribunal shows how the same officer's treat their disabled employees, also. The Report on that case can be found here - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5cf61dd7e5274a0771578036/1600022.2017_Mr_S_Parry_v_Gwynedd_Council_-_CORRECTED_JUDGMENT_AND_REASONS.pdf How much has the disability discrimination and claims of bullying cost Cyngor Gwynedd taxpayers ? Suspension on full pay from 13th January 2014 until receiving notice on 12th Dec 2016 will mean costs to the council of approx £90,000 to £100K in wages alone and how much did the Tribunal award this social worker ? £30K ? £40K ? More ? And all the other costs involved ? Something is seriously wrong within Gwynedd council.
