Concerns widen about Powys services for vulnerable

Assembly members have heard how problems at Powys County Council could be more widespread than concerns about the safety of children in its care.

Social Services minister Rebecca Evans told the Senedd that she is bringing forward the next inspection of the county's provision for vulnerable adults.

She added that Estyn's schools inspectors also have concerns about Powys.

Rebecca Evans told AMs that she expects "rapid improvement" in how Powys looks after children Credit: Senedd TV

A report from Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales published yesterday raised serious concerns about how Powys looks after vulnerable children.

The minister revealed that ahead of the report she had received an "unprecedented" confidential note from the Chief Inspector about how poor leadership and budget cuts had undermined children's services in the county.

Rebecca Evans was answering an urgent question from the Plaid Cymru AM, Simon Thomas.

He also asked about the council's decision to call in the police to investigate if data had been manipulated to give a misleading impression of how well Powys children's services were performing.

The minister said she was "surprised and disappointed" to have only been informed via the media but that she couldn't comment further on a police investigation.