On the 23rd, December, 2021 the Ombudsman for Wales wrote regarding Cyngor Gwynedd council's compliance - or rather non compliance - with recommendations from a 2019 investigation into the children's SS department.
"In relation to compliance I
had also chased the Council in the interim for confirmation as to the
outcome of the Cabinet meeting on 30 November (having
not had any update). I received its response yesterday morning. I have
also today been able to see the minutes of that Cabinet meeting on its
website and confirmation that the plan was approved. Having considered the
question of compliance, we are content that the Council has met this as a
varied implementation from the strict wording of the
recommendation as set out.
Think on that - the Ombudsman had to chase the council for confirmation and then checked the minutes of the meeting to confirm the council's confirmation..Lessons learnt?
But what is this 'varied implementation from the strict wording'?
On October 22, 2020, the Ombudsman shared his thoughts on what was expected of the council to meet compliance...-
The Transitional Social Worker has still not been employed.
Re the Derwen eligibilty criteria - Why does Hugh Morgan, OBE, recommend a 'further (and immediate)' review? An Ombudsman's investigation from 2019 recommends -
70. The Council should review its Derwen policy to ensure its criteria aligns with the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014 and the Equality Act 2010’s definition of ‘disability’, and ensure staff are informed about any changes (within three months).
The Ombudsman has signed this off as completed. So why is the consultant calling for a further review only one year later? By this time, there should be two reviews into Derwen - where are they?
Just before Christmas, the Derwen manager, Aled Gibbard, was asked to share the autism data collected with Councillors of the Care Scrutiny Committee. Apart from a vague 1 in 100 figure he produced no local data. Why not? Why not simply collate all the data from the agencies that have been working together since 2008.
Hugh Morgan's review makes mention of 'ring fenced' (and non ring fenced) monies for these services over the same period. By my estimation, there is £680,000 worth of data - where is it?
The 'plan to be launched by April, 2021' has still not been launched.
Anyway it is not a plan - it is simply a copy and paste presented by the contact officer, Aled Gibbard, of Hugh Morgan's review and recommendations . The Equality Impact Assessment also undertaken by Mr Gibbard is mostly a copy and paste of Welsh Government's Code of Practice Equalty Impact Assessment.
Regardless - the Ombudsman has signed it off...
Something is very wrong within Gwynedd council...has it infected the Ombudsman's office?
