Ceredigion County Council's adult social services have been praised in a recent Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) report.
During the May 2025 inspection, the council was commended for its dedication to person-centred care, robust leadership, and a clear vision for ongoing improvement.
The CIW acknowledged the council's constructive efforts to enhance service-user outcomes and the significant progress made in crucial areas.
The cornerstone of this achievement is the council's Through Age Wellbeing (TAW) model, which emphasises early intervention, prevention, and the wellbeing of all age groups.
By allowing timely access to support, the TAW model promotes independence and minimises the necessity for statutory services.
The model was effectively delivered within the 2024/25 budget, underscoring its sustainability and value for money.
Other accomplishments include maintaining high standards in residential care homes, which are all rated 'Good' or 'Excellent', and strengthening the adult social services team with the addition of six new social workers.
Deputy council leader and cabinet member for Through Age Wellbeing, councillor Alun Williams, said: "We are very pleased with the progress recognised by CIW and the impact of our Through Age Wellbeing model.
"It’s a testament to the dedication of our teams and their commitment to supporting people to live well, independently, and with dignity."
The CIW inspection, conducted between May 13 and May 14, 2025, examined the progress made in resolving previously identified areas for improvement.
The inspection found a strong foundation and a clear trajectory for improvement within the local authority, acknowledging the need for ongoing focus on embedding good practice consistently across services.
Social services leadership was described as "both visible and responsive," contributing to a culture of well-being and professional growth.
The local authority's implementation of the principles of voice, choice, and control was also commended.
The use of frameworks such as Signs of Safety (SOS) was noted as reflecting a structured approach to capturing individual voices and tailoring services to people's priorities.
The authority's strategic focus on preventing the need for long-term statutory care and fostering resilience in local communities was also highlighted as a key strength.
However, the CIW pointed out areas requiring further development.
The authority must ensure equal service standards regardless of location to guarantee fairness and equality for those in need of care and support.
There was also concern about the significant delay in the annual director report for 2024/25.
Additionally, the CIW suggested collaboration with the local health board to better understand and address how reduced co-location and changes to multi-disciplinary working impact the quality and coordination of care and support.
The CIW concluded that the authority should consider these areas for improvement and take necessary actions to address them.
Progress will be monitored through ongoing performance review activity with the local authority.
The local authority is expected to share the identified positive practices with other local authorities, to spread learning and contribute to the continuous improvement of statutory services throughout Wales.
This improvement check aligns with the statutory responsibilities outlined in the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 and serves to evaluate how effectively local authorities support and sustain improvements for individuals and services.
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