End of Week Message from Lance

07 May 2026

Hi Everyone,

There’s a lot happening across Social Services at the moment - and across the wider organisation too. Some of it will feel like big change, some of it more gradual, but all of it is focused on making sure we’re in the best possible place to support the people who rely on us.

This week I wanted to bring together some of the key updates, achievements and priorities that are having a direct impact on the people we support and serve.

You may already be aware that a number of our social services teams will be moving offices over the coming months. This builds on the moves that have already taken place last year and is part of a longer-term plan to bring more teams into modern, flexible working environments.

For some colleagues particularly those currently based at Ty Jenner - this means a temporary move to the Civic Offices before eventually relocating to a new health and social care hub at Thompson Street. We know that moving more than once isn’t ideal, but it allows us to create the right space for teams moving out of the Dock Office as part of the Council’s wider Eich Lle plans.

There are also permanent moves ahead for colleagues in Resource Management and Safeguarding, while Children and Young People Services will move into Ty Jenner once some adjustments have been made to the space.

It’s completely understandable that this kind of change can feel unsettling. There will likely be a period of adjustment as everyone gets used to new surroundings and ways of working. 

The aim though, is to make sure that colleagues are working in spaces that better support collaboration, wellbeing and the wider work we do every day to support some of our most vulnerable residents.

I would like to thank all affected staff for your patience and support as the moves take place and we’ll continue to keep everyone updated as this work progresses over the coming months.

As we continue to adapt and evolve, it’s worth taking a moment to recognise the colleagues who keep services running day in, day out, often while navigating change themselves.

That includes our colleagues from overseas, who are such a vital part of our social care workforce. Our residential staff group consists of employees from several countries, including (but not exclusively) India, The Philippines, Sri Lanka, Nigeria and Western Europe.

Many have made significant personal sacrifices to be here to make the Vale a better and more caring place, often leaving close family members behind - including partners and, in some cases, their children.

Their commitment, compassion and professionalism play a huge role in the care and support we provide. For many of the people we work with, these colleagues are a constant source of reassurance, dignity and kindness.

It is also important to recognise the work of our own residents in supporting their loved ones through difficult circumstances.

In April, 163 young carers from across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan came together for a Celebration Day at St Cyres School. It was a chance to say thank you and to give them a break from the responsibilities they selflessly carry out each and every day.

The event – funded by the Regional Partnership Board and organised through the Young Carers Task Group for Cardiff and the Vale - was full of energy, music, activities, games and plenty of opportunities to just relax and have fun. 

The feedback said it all - it gave them “a space to be ourselves” and “a chance to meet others who truly understand what it means to be a young carer”.

A huge thank you to everyone involved in making the day happen – from Vale colleagues and our partners at Cardiff Council, TuVida and the YMCA, to the community volunteers who gave their time and energy to make the event so special.

But most of all, I want to take the opportunity share my own appreciation for our young carers. The care, resilience and maturity they show every day is remarkable, the responsibilities that they take on often goes unseen, and they do so with strength and compassion – and it deserves to be recognised and celebrated.

Elsewhere, another area where we’re seeing positive change is Direct Payments.

Following feedback from people who use the service, this policy has been updated and a new Direct Payments Hub has now been launched. This brings everything together in one place - clear information, guidance and support for both the public and our own staff.

The aim is to make Direct Payments a more straightforward and visible option, helping people have greater choice and control over their care from the outset. 

A big part of this is recognising the role of Personal Assistants, who play a key role in delivering flexible, personalised support. Other recent updates, including improvements linked to our Real Living Wage accrediation, also helps to strengthen that offer even further to ensure the best possible outcomes for our residents.

Good outcomes rely on strong partnerships - both within our organisation and beyond.

In March, our commissioning team brought together a wide range of our third sector and community partners for a “Refresher’s Fair.” It was a chance to reconnect, hear honest feedback and look at how we can work better together.

Discussions covered real challenges - things like transport, funding and how we stay connected as a sector - but also focused on solutions and shared priorities for the future.

One of the outcomes was a new name for the forum - Vale Community Partnership: Creating Brighter Futures Together – emphasising collaboration, shared responsibility and a collective commitment to improving lives across the Vale.

That idea of working together doesn’t stop at team or service boundaries either.

A great recent example comes from Recycling Officer Robyn Selby and Natalie Taylor, a Senior Customer Services Representative, who went above and beyond to help a resident access social services support. 

On a visit to drop some purple hygiene waste bags off to the resident, Robyn realised that the resident was struggling as she had been caring for her husband for three years and told Robyn about her difficulty with the physical aspects of his care.

Robyn offered to explore what extra support could be available to her and followed through by connecting with Natalie Taylor in C1V.

By linking in with Natalie, they both made sure the individual was connected to the right services, which has resulted in receiving well-being call and she is now awaiting allocation to a social worker.

It’s a brilliant example of our “No Wrong Door” approach in action - where it doesn’t matter how someone comes into contact with us, the important part is ensuring that they’re supported to find the help they need.

Taking that extra moment to show care or understanding, asking a question and making a connection can have a lasting impact and is something we can all incorporate into the way we work together.

Finally, a quick note on an exciting upcoming opportunity – colleagues in OD and Learning have organised a Fostering Q&A session on 18 May for staff to learn more about fostering.

If you’ve ever been curious about fostering, this is a great chance to find out more about what’s involved and what the process to become a foster carer could look like.

For more information about the session and how to sign-up, click here.

That’s all from me for this week – it’s been great to share some of the exciting developments from social services with you all!

Many of you will know that today is polling day across Wales for the Senedd election, with the Vale playing a key role in helping to coordinate and facilitate the election for Pen-y-Bont Bro Morgannwg.

I’d like to briefly acknowledge the work of colleagues involved in supporting today’s process. Your efforts are essential to ensuring polling runs smoothly across our communities.

Please keep an eye out for a special post-election message from the Chief Executive, which will be shared tomorrow.

As always, thank you very much for your efforts this week – they are very much appreciated.

For those not in work, have a restful and relaxing couple of days off over the coming weekend.

Thanks,

Lance