A REPORT into the workings of Monmouthshire's Social Services has been described as being 'too kind' by an Abergavenny councillor.

Croesonen member Councillor Roger Harris, the Labour group leader at Monmouthshire made his comments after the report compiled by the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales was presented last week, following the inspection last December.

Councillor Harris said, "This report has been 'too kind' to us. It notes we are on the right track, but this track is far too late.

"The important thing is that we can now fully scrutinise this report and consider our responses accordingly."

Other councillor's loosely supported his words with Councillor Bob Greenland admitting the authority 'could do better' with regards to social services

Councillor Greenland said, "A report from an outside body is important to us and it was with some trepidation that I first read the content. I was relieved to discover that overall Monmouthshire was doing a good job but I feel that even though we've had a good report, we could do better. We have to learn from the report and organise our resources accordingly as social services staff are under pressure, but we do have a leadership in Monmouthshire that is committed to carrying us forward in this project."

The Inspectorate's report concluded that Monmouthshire Social Services had 'significant strengths' in a number of areas.

"They are realistic about the need to manage increasing demand from demographic pressures through early interventions, such as the frailty programme, citizen directed approaches and family support services.

"These approaches are in different stages of development and the challenge will be to continue to deliver better outcomes within constrained budgets.

It also suggested that some aspects of service organisation required more attention to bring them up to the standard of the rest - something which it felt was 'achievable'.

The report stated that social workers and social care assistants had very busy caseloads, which made regular contact with the people they were looking after very difficult.

Commenting on the report Councillor Liz Hacket Pain said, "We are realistic that the caseloads need looking at as well as the training needed for foster carers in order to increase the numbers.

The report also said that performance indicators in the delivery of children's services were good, but noted there was a gap identified in the performance of some aspects of social care within the council.

It also highlighted that as there were low numbers of foster care families available in Monmouthshire that the authority had to commission placements outside the county at considerable cost to the authority.

The inspectors recognised that the number of older people helped to live at home in Monmouthshire has steadily increased, most notably for the over 85 year age group and that these numbers will increase in the future as the baby boomer generation enters old age.

The report also highlighted the need for smaller 'core teams of staff' allowing for better personal relationships to be established with service users - therefore avoiding the patient having to explain their needs and requirements every time someone new takes on the role.

Councillor Geoff Burrows said: "A number of issues have been highlighted by the inspection.

"This is not failure on our part but part of the process. We value this work so that the issues can be addressed."