Senior social worker backs borough carers

A leading social worker believes Rochdale’s most vulnerable residents will continue to receive high quality care, despite a testing financial climate.

Lyn Romeo, chief social worker for adults in England, says collaborative working between the council, health chiefs and other agencies will be the key to supporting those most in need.

The authority is currently forecast to overspend on children’s social care by £5.5m – and while adult services spending is due to come in on budget, leader Allen Brett has said there is a 'desperate need' for a long-term funding solution.

But Ms Romeo said there was ‘lots of amazing work being done in the context of reduced resources’ in the borough.

Speaking after an adult care conference held at Rochdale Council’s Number One Riverside offices, she added: “There are great staff with a great, great passion for what they are doing; the right attitude, a good culture and a vision about where we want to go.”

And she added that local authority staff working in partnership with colleagues in the NHS, police and other agencies was a 'real strength' in the borough.

“The thing that has impressed me is a real focus in One Rochdale and how partners come together to think about how we serve the residents and citizens of Rochdale and ensuring that we are have an integrated approach,” she said.

Ms Romeo, who last visited Rochdale in 2014, believes the main challenges facing Rochdale are around the levels of deprivation and funding from the government.

“The key challenge is how do we get the best out of of what is available, to utilise resources the best we can to help people have the best lives they can,” added Ms Romeo.

“I’m confident that we will be able to sustain that and support people.”

The leading social worker also praised Rochdale’s ‘community connectors’ – staff based around the borough to advise residents on areas including health, housing, employment and money management.

She said: “There’s a lot of community building going on with the community connectors and a more holistic approach to the people we serve.”

Latest figures estimate the council’s budget gap is £2.3m for the coming financial year; £11.4m in 2020/21; and £18.9m in 2021/22.

However, Ms Romeo believes ministers now understand the NHS and social care are ‘inextricably linked, and the importance of adequate funding.

She said: “ I think the government recognises we have to ensure social care is on a sustainable footing to work with with health and make sure that people don’t get pushed into health services when they don’t need to.”

Nick Statham, Local Democracy Reporter