Social services teams rise to challenge of increasing demand for support

According to a major report to Swansea Council, the pressures of the Covid era are starting to ease but they are being replaced by a rising need for support due to the cost of living crisis and other issues.

David Howes, Swansea Council's director of social services, told councillors at Full Council that investment in prevention activities and tackling poverty appears to be having a positive impact, but the number of people seeking council social services continues to climb.

And he had strong words of praise for staff, adding: Over the past year, our dedicated teams have demonstrated incredible skill, professionalism and resilience in the face of unprecedented circumstances."

He added: "Throughout this challenging period, we have remained resolute in our mission to safeguard out most vulnerable children and adults through excellence in social work and social care practice; by working in partnerships to de-escalate need for statutory help and to promote well-being, protect the vulnerable, and foster inclusive communities.

"We are now in a period in which families and communities face greater and greater challenges and uncertainties. Inflation and everyday expenses such as housing, food, travel and energy costs, are continuing to rise."

Mr Howes, who was presenting his annual statutory report about social services to council, paid tribute to the city's army of unpaid carers and volunteers. He also thanked councillors for their continued backing and encouragement over the past year.

Swansea Council spends around £160m a year on services supporting vulnerable adults, children and their families. The social services department also oversees a range of activities which aim to lift families and individuals out of poverty, tackle loneliness and thereby help manage mental health.

The report to council said all of Swansea is now covered by the innovative Local Area Co-ordination team, aiming to connect people with advice and support that can make a difference in their lives.

The Ageing Well programme has also been a huge success. Regular events including walks and social get-togethers routinely attract scores of older people, helping them make new friends and keeping them in touch with their communities, Mr Howes said.

In the last year the Swansea Working has also more than doubled to 3,295 the number of people it's helped with employability support as well as securing jobs for almost 400 through the Communities for Work and Communities for Work Plus schemes.

Mr Howes said: "Our LACs and employability services are helping address some of the rapidly-changing issues our communities face. So is the £500,000 we've been able to give in grants to community organisations like Men's Sheds, food banks and community cooking groups which do so much good work in their neighbourhoods.

"Last year we also helped hundreds of people secure more than £1.5m of welfare benefits they were entitled to and help others deal with almost £220,000 worth of debt."

He added: "Overall, the report shows how much exceptional work is being done by staff across the social services department. Transformation has become business as usual for our services because the needs of our communities are changing so rapidly.

"Thankfully, the problems of the pandemic period are starting to ease, but different and new issues needing our attention are coming to our door."