Gwynedd Council - Complaint Against A Social Worker...

The Director of Cyngor Gwynedd council SS departments has finally released the Annual Complaints Handling report for 2022/23. The report was written last year but only now has it been presented for scrutiny by the Care Scrutiny Committee that meet on the 11th April, 2024…

The report is co-authored by Marian Parry Hughes (childrens dept) and Aled Davies (adults dept). It is long and gives much detail that is not usually included in these reports. The report can be found here –  https://democracy.gwynedd.llyw.cymru//documents/g4975/Public%20reports%20pack%2011th-Apr-2024%2010.30%20Care%20Scrutiny%20Committee.pdf?T=10

Page 36 mentions a historic complaint –

And another one on page 37 – 

Treating the complaint in this way may be unintentionally shutting down the pathway to the PSOW. The Ombudsman for Wales usually requires a complaint to have gone through the council’s Stage 1 and Stage 2 complaints process. Could one of these complainants have approached the Ombudsman directly? 

The Ombudsman has discretion to investigate matters of a historical nature… 

The second complaint was closed down because the complainant mentioned the c word – compensation. Gwynedd council would have known the process would be triggering for the young person and one hopes that this young person was supported during the process.

Both historic complaints were against the Arfon children’s team. The senior complaints officer mentioned is also the senior safeguarding officer for the council and has held his post for many years – many of the now senior officers within the children’s department have also been there for many years…

One notable departure from the department has been Morwena Edwards, the director of social services who left her post in 2022 – one year after the former CEO, Dilwyn Williams retired. Last year, the Head of Education, Garem Jackson, left his post citing personal reasons.

The Care Scrutiny committee will also discuss Derwen’s short breaks service. This report is also written by Marian Parry Hughes and it is titled ‘to obtain assurance that suitable provision is available to all who need the service’ –

Amser Ni has been hugely beneficial but there have been barriers along the way to make sure that the provision in place meets the demand. Recruiting volunteers has been a big problem over recent years, this is a national problem, where more people are trying to seek paid employment rather than volunteering. 

It is disgraceful that such an important service is heavily reliant on the goodwill of volunteers.

The Autism Plan task and finish group is also on the agenda. This report is written by Vera Jones, the Democracy and Language Manager. Excerpts include –…it was noted that there was a need to ensure that nobody fell through the net, e.g., individuals with autism only (no learning disability). During the discussion it was highlighted that support was available across all the services, which was crucial.It is also reported that – Figures were presented that showed that over 50% of children who received an assessment did not receive a diagnosis following a thorough assessment process. 

If over half the children are not receiving a diagnosis then what are their issues and why were they referred in the first place?

Is the Derwen criteria lawful? Does it exclude certain cohorts of children and their parents/carers from accessing much needed support or provision? Many parents are coming to the conclusion that the autism team is not the innovative service claimed by the council, but yet another signposting service.

Interesting to note that this care scrutiny committee meeting dealing with the above matters has now been changed from a ‘multi location’ meeting to a virtual meeting only. The council has stated that this will only happen in certain circumstances…Something is so very wrong within Gwynedd council…