WF 04

Ymchwiliad i gynaliadwyedd y gweithlu iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol

Inquiry into the sustainability of the health and social care workforce

Ymateb gan: Cŵn Tywys Cymru

Response from: Guide Dogs Cymru

[Via email]

Consultation

Inquiry into the sustainability of the health and social care workforce

Guide Dogs Cymru welcomes the Committee’s inquiry into the sustainability of the health and social care workforce in Wales.

The Committee will wish to note that we have recently published the attached research study of habilitation service provision for children and young people with a vision impairment in Wales.

This study provides an up-to-date picture of the declining workforce that is supporting children and young people in Wales who are visually impaired.

The study does suggest that Local Authorities in Wales are not providing the levels of service that match the expectations of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act Codes of Practice. Across the whole of Wales there are only 8.6 FTE children’s habilitation specialists with 10 Local Authorities not employing any. We estimate the number employed, directly or indirectly, should be between 15-19 FTE to meet need. Our view is that the current workforce is unable to meet the needs of visually impaired children and young people and this is something the Committee should urgently investigate.

A particular concern is that 50 per cent of Local Authorities provide no service or a reduced service in school holiday time.

The Welsh Government needs to be held to account about these matters. Unless things improve children and young people in Wales with visual impairment will fail to achieve their full potential and will be unable to take advantage of life chances.

Guide Dogs Cymru are happy to provide any further information that the Committee may require.

Guide Dogs Cymru

5 September 2016.   

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