The Social Work Inspection Agency (SWIA) has praised West Lothian Council’s Social Work Services in its report - Performance Inspection of Social Work Services.
The Social Work Service received the first excellent grading for an individual council in Scotland for its Impact on the community.
The service also received six very good ratings including becoming the first Social Work Service in Scotland to receive ‘very good’ markings for Impact on people who use our services and Strategic leadership. Inspectors also noted that multi-disciplinary working was particularly strong, the overwhelming majority of the staff were highly motivated, enthusiastic and well trained. There were opportunities for staff at all levels to get involved in policy development. Engagement with, and impact on the local community was excellent –displaying clear strategies for public involvement in service development, Councillor Graeme Morrice, Interim Chair of West Lothian Community Health and Care Partnership and Leader of West Lothian Council, said: “This is really excellent report and I would like to congratulate everyone involved. The comments and the ratings given by the inspectors are a testament to the hard work and dedication of the Social Work Service to local people.”The Convener of West Lothian Council’s Health and Care Committee, Councillor Bruce Ferrie commented: “This is the best report on Social Work Services in Scotland so far and I would like to add my congratulations to staff on this achievement. We were particularly pleased to see that the report highlighted areas of good practice throughout the service.” Director of the West Lothian Community Health and Care Partnership, David Kelly said: “We welcome the findings of the Social Work Inspection Agency which enabled us to provide evidence of the positive and imaginative delivery and development of caring services undertaken by Social Policy for individuals, families and communities in West Lothian. “The findings in this report are a great boost to everyone. We are proud of our operation and we will use the report and the recommendations to build on our success and forward planning for the health and wellbeing of the people who use our services.” Grahame Blair, West Lothian Council’s Chief Social Work Officer, said: “I’m delighted for the people who use our services, and the team who provides them that the Inspectors recognized the high quality of care, support and protection which is in place for those people in West Lothian who need it. The report also gives us some pointers to work on to improve services even further for people in West Lothian.” SWIA Evaluations: 1. Very good - Outcomes for people who use social work services
2. Very good - Impact on people who use social work services and other stakeholders
3. Very good – Impact on staff
4. Excellent - Impact on the community
5. Good - Delivery of key processes
6. Good - Policy and service development, planning and performance management
7. Very good - Management and support of staff
8. Good - Resources and capacity building
9. Very good - Leadership and direction
10. Very good - Capacity for improvementThe report included the lowest number of recommendations of any so far. Ends
Issued by: Elaine Henderson, PR development manager, Date: 15 March 2007
Fri, 16 Mar 2007 00:34:50
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