AM impressed by Social Services

3.11.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 15th Jan 2008

Kirsty Williams AM for Brecon & Radnorshire spent last Thursday seeing first hand the hard and varied work of Powys' Social Services team.

Kirsty visiting Brecon Candle Workshop

Throughout the day Kirsty visited the Older & Disabled People Team in Brecon and Ystradgynlais; the Learning Disabilities and Mental Health Teams in Brecon; the Beacons Candles Workshop; the Ystradgynlais Reablement and Day Services Centres.

"I spent a fascinating day being shown the many tiers of provisions making up our social services in Brecon and Radnorshire providing support care or protection to those at risk or in need.

"The staff carry out such an array of roles in assisting the more vulnerable sectors of our community; it was heart warming to see how their hard work and caring impacts so strongly to improve the lives of those who may otherwise find it hard to lead independent lives.

"It is vital that these hard working and dedicated staff have the resources and support that they need to carry out their jobs to the best of their abilities. Local authorities, including our own, are struggling to find this money and the Assembly Government's poor local government settlement for Powys will unfortunately only make their job harder.

"As well as seeing increased budgets this situation could be alleviated by pooling together local health board and social services budgets."