Findings from a joint assurance check of the Community Learning Disabilities Team in Rhondda Cynon Taf
The assurance check was carried out by Care Inspectorate Wales and Healthcare Inspectorate Wales between 13 and 15 February 2024.
This community learning disability team is multi-agency, with staff working across the local authority and Cwm Taf Glamorgan University Health Board.
The health board also commissions Swansea Bay University Health Board to provide some operational services in the county.
Perceptions
Inspectors from Care Inspectorate Wales (HIW) and Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) found that senior managers were aware of the significant ongoing challenges faced in responding to more complex demand and needs, and financial pressures.
The inspectors saw many examples of local authority practitioners and the health board working together effectively. Practitioners described the benefits of the new structure of the community learning disabilities team and the fact that the specialist teams had been reintroduced in the social care field. They acknowledged that it is early days and that they are hopeful that this change will have a positive impact on people with a learning disability.
However, the inspectors noted that information is not always shared effectively due to the different systems in place for recording information in the local authority and Cwm Taf Glamorgan University Health Board.
The next steps
HIW and HIW expect the local authority and the health board to consider the areas for improvement that have been identified and take appropriate action to address and improve these areas. AWW will monitor progress through its ongoing performance review activity with the local authority.
Where relevant, AWW expects the local authority to share the positive practices identified with other local authorities, in order to share the lessons learned and help guide continuous improvement in statutory services across Wales.
HIW will monitor progress against the health-related improvements through an Improvement Plan.
