Working together is the key to improvement, says Gwenda Thomas

TOO often the public only hear about the shortcomings in social care services.

While these failings need to be improved, they only represent a small proportion of the services that are provided to the most vulnerable people in society.

There are a huge range of social care services throughout Wales that work with people and families, who are experiencing problems and need support.

The demands on these services are ever growing and there are higher expectations as we as citizens want to have a greater say about the services.

The Welsh Assembly Government has already taken positive steps towards taking social care forward. We are currently seeking additional powers in the area of charging for non-residential social care.

As things stand, charging for home care and other non-residential social services is at the discretion of individual local authorities.

This has resulted in significant variations in policies for services across Wales.

We have a One Wales commitment to achieve a fairer and more consistent approach to charging for all adult recipients of non-residential social services.

By legislating against such disparities we will fulfil this and we are currently in the process of obtaining the necessary new powers.

Earlier this year I announced a new £4.5m-a-year, three-year scheme to help older and disabled people live more independent lives.

The new funding is being put towards preventing unnecessary hospital admissions and supporting people to live in the community.

By ensuring that every stage of the care pathway is as effective and integrated as possible we can increase capacity for services to support people to live more independent lives.

The Assembly Government’s 10-year strategy – Fulfilled Lives, Supportive Communities – sets out our vision for social services as a core service within local government covering adults and children.

We are also seeking to use the new opportunities for Legislative Competence Orders to extend the powers of the Assembly Government in relation to children’s services and carers’ rights, enabling us to bring forward distinct service initiatives of our own here in Wales.

This will be seen in the strategy we are developing for vulnerable children being accommodated. It will be supported by two legislative planks – the Children and Young Person’s Bill and our own Measure, which will focus on children at risk because of parental problems.

There are some 4,800 children in care – parental drug or alcohol misuse and mental health problems are the main causes of entry of into care.

But a wider group of children who are known to social services and other agencies either do not enter care, or do so after a time, and yet fail to thrive and reach their full potential.

We will shortly consult on new arrangements to improve the delivery of health and social care to families where substance misuse coexists with concerns about the welfare or vulnerability of a child and to pilot a new integrated family support services.

We have an opportunity to set a new direction for services for our most vulnerable children.
We must strive to achieve good quality care for children, adults and older people – whether in family, residential or community settings and have to use all our resources to best effect to do so.
Social services must work closely with health services and with voluntary and private providers to develop service models for the future which can respond flexibly and effectively to people’s needs.

Everyone in the sector is aware that there are occasional instances where individuals and their families are sometimes let down by the care system. But there is also plenty to shout about when it comes to social care in Wales.

I am confident that by ensuring all stakeholders work together we will further improve the sector for the benefit of those that need it most.

Gwenda Thomas AM is Deputy Minister – Health and Social Services

Last week, it was announced that the number of people in employment in Wales is at record levels, stands at 1,360,000, up 20,000 over the previous year. This means that 72.5 per cent of the working age population of Wales is in work. The unemployment rate in Wales now stands at 5.3%, with the inactivity rate also falling dramatically over the last twelve months. Who could have thought, even fifteen years ago, that Wales, in 2008, would be on the brink of full employment?

Also last week, the Labour-led Assembly Government was able to announce that Wales is well on the way to becoming the world’s first Fair Trade Nation. The announcement follows a two-year campaign to increase the availability of Fair Trade products across Wales, and encouraging schools, businesses and other organisations to switch to Fair Trade.

When I started my column in the Guardian last year, I promised to use it to promote local charities and other voluntary groups and organisations in my constituency. This month, I want to mention the work of the Soroptimist International movement in Neath.

Soroptimist International is a worldwide organisation for women in management and professions, working through service projects to advance human rights and the status of women. I was delighted to have been asked to attend and speak at the Diamond Jubilee Banquet of the Soroptimist’s in Neath at the Glyn Clydach Hotel a few weeks ago, and was delighted to be able to welcome guests from Soroptimist International branches in Yorkshire, France and Romania to Neath and to Wales.

The president of the Soroptimist’s in Neath is Christene Thomas, and as part of her work, she has chosen a number of charities she will support during the next twelve months. She is supporting Cerebra, which provides Services to Brain Injured Children and Young People. One in forty children suffers a disability as a result of brain injury. On Monday evening 23 June, Christene has arranged for Cerebra, which is based in Carmarthen, to give the Soroptimist’s in Neath a presentation on the work they do. She is also supporting Barnados Cymru, and The Smile Train, which is dedicated to helping children in the world who suffer from cleft lip palate by empowering and training doctors to allow them to perform the operations and research to find a cure.

If you wish to contact me for any help and assistance that you feel I can provide you as your local Assembly Member, you can contact my office on 01792 869993 or e-mail . You can also keep up-to-date with my activities as your AM by logging on to http://gwendathomas.com/

Following the news that A&M Transport of Pontardawe has called a meeting of creditors with a view of going into liquidation, Pontardawe-based Neath AM Gwenda Thomas said:

“I’m very disappointed to learn that A&M Transport has asked to be put into liquidation.

“My immediate priority is to ensure that everything possible that can be done will be done to safeguard the futures of the workforce.

“I’ve been in contact with the First Minister, Rhodri Morgan this morning to see what assistance the Welsh Assembly Government can give to support the employees that will be affected by this decision.

Efforts to regenerate some of the most disadvantaged communities in the Neath, Dulais and Swansea Valleys have received another shot in the arm today, thanks to a new £25m fund which has been announced by the Labour-led Assembly Government.

Neath AM Gwenda Thomas has welcomed news of the new Communities First ‘Outcomes Fund’, which will be open for bids by Communities First partnerships, including those in Neath, Lower Brynamman and Gwaun Cae Gurwen, Ystalyfera and Godre’rgraig the Dulais Valley, and Pontrhydyfen and Tonmawr.

The partnerships will be able to apply for money from the fund, but will need to demonstrate that their proposals will help deliver key Communities First priorities. They will also need to show that they are working in partnership with local public bodies and have engaged with local people in planning local services.

The Fund, which will be worth at least £25million over three years, is the centrepiece of plans for the next phase of Communities First, the Assembly Government’s flagship community regeneration programme, which Labour launched in the Assembly back in 2001.

Gwenda Thomas AM said:

“The new Outcomes Fund will be a real shot in the arm for every Communities First partnership in my constituency.

“It also shows how the Labour-led Assembly Government is committed to taking the Communities First programme to the next level so that it does even more to regenerate our communities.

“I am pleased to see that the next phase of Communities First will give the programme an even clearer focus on getting practical improvements in place on the ground to tackle poverty, regenerate these areas and improve employability.

“I am looking forward to seeing the Communities First programme going from strength to strength as it enters this next phase and I am sure that it will continue to make a real difference to the lives of so many people in my constituency.”

-Ends-

Communities First wards in Neath Port Talbot are:

Neath Port Talbot CBC: Cymmer + Gwynfi + Glyncorrwg; Sandfields West + Sandfields East; Onllwyn + Seven Sisters; Ystalyfera + Pantyffynnon, part of Godre’graig; Briton Ferry West + Neath East; Pelenna; Fairyland, part of Neath North; Brynbryddan and Penllyn, part of Bryn and Cwmavon.

Deputy Minister for Social Services, Gwenda Thomas, today (Thursday, 12 June) announced that the Welsh Assembly Government will be funding an all-Wales pilot to review child deaths at a CEMACH (Confidential Enquiry into Maternal and Child Health) conference held at Cardiff.

Developed from and building upon the CEMACH model that analysed child deaths in a number of selected areas for one year it is anticipated that a Wales-wide pilot – focusing on child suicides - will identify avoidable factors and contributors to child deaths.

There are approximately 300 child deaths every year in Wales – of which almost half are babies under 28 days of age.

Speaking at the conference earlier today, Deputy Minister for Social Services, Gwenda Thomas, said;

“The Assembly Government is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

“ We need to look at what can be done by local authorities, the NHS and other agencies to address these issues at a local level as well as what the Welsh Assembly Government might do at a national level.

“I am confident that an all-Wales pilot for Child Death reviews will identify avoidable factors that contribute to child deaths and consequently help us to eliminate or reduce them as far as possible.”

According to the findings of the CEMACH “Why Children Die” report that was presented to stakeholders earlier today more that half of the deaths of children over the age of 28 days may have been avoidable or potentially avoidable.

Said Gwenda Thomas; “The CEMACH report provides us with analysis of child deaths in one year and in a number of selected areas giving us a snapshot of the position at one point in time.”

“By undertaking further work and analysis we can develop effective policies to address unexpected child deaths.”

An unexpected death is defined as the death of a child that was not anticipated as a significant possibility 24 hours before the death, or where there was a similarly unexpected collapse leading to or precipitating the events that led to the death.

Subject to an assessment of the pilot, the aim would be to introduce a full Child Death Review scheme from 1 April 2010, following consultation with stakeholders on any proposed regulations and guidance.

Royal Mail has announced this week that five post office branches in the Neath constituency are being proposed for closure under its Network Change Programme.

The five branches proposed for closure in the Neath Constituency are Aberdulais; Neath Abbey; Cwmgors; Leaonard Street, Neath and Maesyffynon, Glynneath.

Constituents are invited to leave comments on these proposed closures here, so that I am able to send a clear, strong and united message to Royal Mail on behalf of my constituents.

Neath Labour Assembly Member Gwenda Thomas has expressed her disappointment at the decision announced today (Tuesday 3rd June) by Royal Mail that five post office branches in her constituency are being proposed for closure under its Network Change Programme.

The five branches proposed for closure in the Neath Constituency are Aberdulais; Neath Abbey; Cwmgors; Leaonard Street, Neath and Maesyffynon, Glynneath.

She announced plans to consult her constituents on the proposed closures, and will work closely with Neath MP Peter Hain, local councillors, including the Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, Derek Vaughan and other local community leaders to ensure that the views of the people in each of the affected areas are taken fully into consideration during the consultation period.

Commenting on the proposed closures, Neath AM GWENDA THOMAS said:

“I’m deeply disappointed that Royal Mail has announced its intention to close five of its branches in my constituency.

"We will campaign to keep as many of these Post Offices open as possible, but we need people to speak up and tell us what they think, so that we send a clear, strong and united message to Royal Mail.

"Although Post Office issues are not devolved to the Welsh Assembly Government, I'm fully committed to making sure that as a public representative, representing the people of Neath, that I listen to the views of the people of Aberdulais, Cwmgors, Neath, Neath Abbey, and the Lamb and Flag area of Glynneath , and I urge them to contact me with their views on these proposed closures.

"I will then make the views of my constituents known to Royal Mail, and I will be working closely with colleagues to ensure that those views are taken fully into consideration during the consultation process.

Constituents can contact Gwenda by writing to Gwenda Thomas AM, Assembly Member for Neath, 7 High Street, Pontardawe, Swansea, SA8 4HU, by e-mail, , or by leaving a comment at gwendathomas.com

Commenting on the proposed closures, Neath Port Talbot Council Leader and Neath North Councillor DEREK VAUGHAN said:

"'I am concerned at the number of closures announced for Neath Port Talbot and as a local Councillor I am particularly concerned about the proposal to close the Leonard Street Post Office in my Ward.

"Such a closure would have a huge impact on elderly residents. I will be demanding a meeting with the Post Office to discuss their proposals ''.

Commenting on the proposed closure of Maes y Ffynon Post Office, Blaengwrach County Councillor ALF SIDDLEY said:

"I was most disturbed to hear that the Post Office in the Lamb and Flag area of Glynneath is on the list of post office proposed for closure.

"The Post Office has always been an integral part of Community life, and plays a crucial role, just like the local school and village shop. When any of these vital services are closed, it has a devastating impact on the local community, especially on those members of the community who rely the most on their local post office, such as those who do not have a bank account or access to a bank, and the elderly and disabled people.

"I trust the County Councillors for Glynneath will stand with me and my colleagues to oppose this planned closure.

Deputy Minister for Social Services, Gwenda Thomas, brought different age groups closer together today (Monday, 02 June) when she launched the consultation of the Assembly Government’s first draft Intergenerational Strategy for Wales at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay.

The draft strategy is a key action point of the Assembly Government’s ‘Strategy for Older People in Wales’, that recommended a development programme be established to promote the development and improved awareness of the benefits of intergenerational links.

As a consequence of identifying the importance of promoting intergenerational relationships and cooperation Wales is the first country in the world to build the United Nations Declaration on older people into a national policy.

The draft Intergenerational Strategy for Wales contains a number of examples of good practice in Wales and a source of further advice on how intergenerational approaches are an effective way to address a number of key government priorities such as building active communities, developing respect and understanding across the generations, promoting citizenship, regenerating neighbourhoods and addressing inequality.

Speaking at the conference, Deputy Minister for Social Services, Gwenda Thomas, said:

"Ensuring that people from across the generations work together, share their experiences and expertise is vitally important - which is why intergenerational practice is and will continue to be a key priority issue for the Assembly Government’s Strategy for Older People in Wales.

"We have been funding development work for the last four years but now is the time to step it up a gearBy developing a greater understanding and respect between generations we increase our chances of building more cohesive communities which is why today’s launch of the consultation is not only important news for the older people in Wales but for the country as a whole.

A number of projects have been established to bring younger and older people together throughout Wales. Working with Schools, Libraries and Community groups the projects have included butter making, cookery, fashion shows, film making, history, gardening, community improvement projects and many more.The draft strategy will now go out to consultation until 30 August and it is anticipated that the Intergenerational Strategy will be formally launched in the Autumn.