Powys children's services need further work, minister says

Children's services at Powys council will still be subject to "close oversight" by ministers despite improvements after a damning report.

In October the Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) warned children were at risk of harm because of social services failures.

Children's Minister Huw Irranca-Davies said the council had invested to reduce case loads and hire more managers.

But he said more work was needed to boost quality of support for families.

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Inspectors had raised "serious concerns" in the October report, which said there was evidence of missed opportunities to safeguard children.

It added: "The lack of assessment, intervention and support, together with poor follow-up and oversight has and is placing children at considerable risk."

'Increased confidence'

Powys council apologised for the failings and promised to make changes, but in January the authority was given a follow-up warning notice that early improvements in response to the CIW report needed to be built on.

In a written statement to the assembly on Monday, the minister said a three-day monitoring visit by inspectors in March found "an increased confidence in the local authority, with tangible steps taken to improve services".

Powys had also submitted a revised improvement plan and set up a new improvement and assurance board, Mr Irranca-Davies added.

"Whilst I am pleased that improvements are being made, I am determined to maintain close oversight of Powys Children's Services until we reach a time where Care Inspectorate Wales and Welsh ministers are satisfied the council is delivering services to the standard and quality expected," he said.

"With this in mind, I have decided to issue an addendum to the Follow-Up Warning Notice. The addendum formalises the requirements needed to continue Powys' improvement journey, recognising that further work is required over the short, medium and long term."

A report into adult services in Powys following a planned inspection is due to be published in the week beginning April 30, the minister added.