20/03/23

With the aim of bringing people together to learn, connect, and influence change, Social Work Week 2023 takes place from Monday 20 to Friday 24 March 2023 and tocoincide with the occasion, members from Cardiff Council's Cabinet have paid tribute to social workers and all staff who help deliver social work support  across the city.

Cllr Norma Mackie, Cabinet Member for AdultSocial Services and Cllr Ash Lister, Cabinet Member for Children Social Services have joined together to celebrate the achievements of Cardiff's social workers and share praise for the workforce.

"I would like to take this opportunity duringSocial Work Weekto shine a light on the fantastic work carried out by Cardiff's social workers and all the staff who support the service area. They workincredibly hard, delivering essential services across the city. I've seen first-hand their enthusiasm and passion for supporting vulnerable clients and want to thank them for their exceptionally hard work.

"Their continued dedication, patience and professionalism greatly contributes to ensuring better outcomes for those who need our help most," said Cllr Mackie.

Cllr Ash Lister added:"Staff right across Children's Services are doing such an important, and frequently very challenging job - day in, day out.

"Having worked with children and young people myself, I've seen the fantastic work they do to keep our future generations safeagainst a backdrop of multiple pressures, whilstcontinuing to help make Cardiff a Child Friendly City.

"Social Work Week is a great opportunity to say thank you, but for me it's vital that staff know that the job they do is appreciated and valued every day of the year."

In October 2022,Cardiff's Local Authority Social Services Report 2021/22 was published showing that significant progress has been made across social services, despite a continuing increase in both the numbers of people needing support in the city and the complexity of the issues that they are facing.

Highlights includedCardiff becoming the first city in Wales to become a member of the WHO (World Health Organisation) Network of Age Friendly Cities thanks to the proactive and innovative hard work of Social Services staff,the introduction of the Ageing Well Strategy and a 96% answer rate of the 39,786 contacts managed by the Adult Services First Point of Contact team.

The report also captured the improvements made to the Youth Justice Service and also drawsattention to almost 47,500 new contacts responded to by Children's services.

A range of activity is planned throughout Social Work Week to celebrate all staff who work in social careand play an integral role in delivering social work services forCardiff, whilst raising awareness of the roles in the sector and honour individuals and their achievements.

Tuesday 21^stMarch marks World Social Work Day and this year's theme is ‘Respecting diversity through joint social action', recognising that change happens locally through our diverse communities. Cardiff's Children's Services is holding an online event for staff and social workers which will reflect on the history of social work,what motivates people to get into the profession and cases of best practice.

Adult Services will also celebrate good practice at an event on Wednesday 22^ndMarch, whensocial workers will share their experiences.

Cllr Mackie and Cllr Lister added: "This week provides a chance to showcase the valuable contribution our social workers make to the city andreflect on the positives.These events will provide the chance to reflect, share positive feedback from service users and thank those in the sector."