Every year we have to review of our performance across a number of areas where the council works – things like education, adult social care, the environment, highways, the economy and others.

The results of the reviews are published in our annual Focused On Our Performance report.

This year’s report reviews our progress for the year 2020/21 and is now available online https://www.wrexham.gov.uk/service/council-plan-2020-2023 and was discussed by our Executive Board on 12 October.

What’s in the report?

It measures our performance against our 6 Well-being Objectives and Improvement Priorities set out in our 2021-23 Council Plan.

Not surprisingly this year’s report highlights the services that continued to be provided by the council workforce during the Covid-19 Pandemic and praised employees and volunteers for their “team spirit” by adapting to new working conditions, changing roles in response to pressures and came up with innovative solutions to support our communities.

Leadership at the council has praised the workforce in their valiant efforts in the way it responded to the pandemic and the help and support provided to the communities of Wrexham County Borough.

The workforce has responded at pace to ever changing situations and have risen to the challenge under extreme pressure. Throughout the pandemic, vital services have been maintained as a result of the determination and flexibility of the councils workforce and they have supported the most vulnerable in their time of need.

The workforce was proactive  and creative in redesigning services and adopted new ways of working to ensure critical services continued, sometimes in new roles. Through the efforts of the workforce during the Pandemic some examples of response included:

• Providing accommodation to people who were homeless or rough sleeping during the pandemic.
• Ensured local businesses and companies received advice and paid out over £3.5 million in grants.
• Supporting schools and childcare settings to remain open to provide childcare to the children of key workers and for those who met the criteria for provision due to vulnerability.
• Delivered an early provision of food and supplies issued for children and vulnerable adults through volunteers from our current workforce.
• The delivery of key critical services including bin collections
• Maintained emergency repairs
• Distributed iPads to care homes to support virtual family visits.
• supported the unprecedented local rollout the TTP service and of the Covid-19 vaccinations

The report goes on to discuss that despite the pandemic and disruption to the work towards our 6 Well-being Outcomes and Improvement Priorities there were also a number of successes including:

• The relocation and developed a new Visitor Information Centre in Chester Street complementing the regeneration and investment taking place in this part of the town centre.
• The availability of on-line services for customers, which has continued to improve throughout the year, with 24 additional services available online and more than 60,000 service requests received online during the year.
• Despite delays during Covid-19 lockdown, construction work has continued to progress well on the development of our modern Community Health and Wellbeing Hub at Crown Buildings.
• The multi-agency VARM group has continued to work collaboratively to implement solutions to protect the vulnerable and reduce the impacts of anti-social behaviour.
• We are one of the leading Welsh local authorities with regard to the installation of electric vehicle charging points in publicly accessible car parks.
• The Accelerated Improvement Board which has delivered sustained improvement in Children’s Social Care over the year.

Moving Forward

We will now move forward as lock down eases and progress work on the Wrexham Town Centre Master Plan to revitalise the business sector and ensure Wrexham is a sustainable and thriving commercial centre.

We’re working to secure funding to buy unused commercial properties in the town centre and by working with the business and local community change the mix of the use of properties in the town centre to increase more housing options to help meet the local housing demand.

We’re hopeful that two bids to the UK Government’s Levelling Up fund for the Wrexham Gateway (£18m) and the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal World Heritage Site (£15m).

Cllr Mark Pritchard, Leader of the Council, said, “This has been the most challenging year ever that we have faced and it is to everyone’s credit that we find ourselves in the position we are today.

“There’s a lot to be proud of and a lot to look forward to and I am incredibly grateful to everyone, staff, members, our voluntary sector, businesses and residents for their resilience and ability to change and adapt to new ways of doing things during the lockdown and after.

“I look forward to seeing work progress on ambitious plans to make Wrexham a place that we can all be proud of.”

A care leaver is a young person between the ages of 16 and 25 who has at some point been looked after away from their family.

The period between being in care and then becoming a care leaver can be a very daunting experience, especially at such a young age.

WORK IN SOCIAL CARE AND BE THE LIFELINE YOUR COMMUNITY NEEDS.

As part of Care leavers week we have invited some of our young care leavers to share their experiences, advice, their stories, and their plans and aspirations for the future.

We have been extremely moved by some of the young people’s accounts and other than small changes to in some cases maintain anonymity, the inspiring words spoken are by the young care leavers themselves.

All care leavers were asked the same questions, and the answers show that their personal circumstances and personalities have meant that they have all had quite different experiences to each other.

We hope that their words will offer comfort, advice and inspiration to other young adults in similar situations…

I am a 19yr Care Leaver who has been in care for about 4 years.

The reason I was brought into care was due to my family guardian becoming increasingly abusive to me till the point where he would physically attack and strangle me, due to what I believe to be his deteriorating mental capacity. I’d rather not ramble about how I ended up with my family guardian, Sorry.

The method of which I was taken into social services and thereafter foster care was quite unceremonious, as it was a sudden turn in my life achieved by a little remark to my teaching assistant, who queried why I had a bruise on my face where I said simply, ‘my family guardian punched me’.

This remark resulted in me being swiftly taken to the nearest hospital with my closest staff members who supported me. I felt betrayed when they explained to me that I can’t go back to my family guardian as it is a risk to my safety. At this time, I realised that I suffered from derealization of my own tragic situation from when I was taken from my family guardian after being with him since birth. Bear in mind his mental faculties (I believe) were only declining when I was 8 and that’s when the problems started.

Just to note I have been with 2 Foster Carers of whom I will call *A and *B for confidentiality.

I came into care when I was 14 and have been in care for 4 years.

My initial foster carer, *A provided me placement right after I was taken away from my family guardian.

Whilst someone who I would consider to be Eccentric, *A provided me with the basic knowledge of tidying myself, showering, basic hygiene. She also took away my videogames which I was reliant on to distract against my depression. In doing so I was a bit resentful, however after 6 months I relished going outside to doing farmwork as a new healthier distraction. I do wish however I did have some online activity so I could keep in touch with my friends.

Whilst being with *A I was provided a Social Worker, I will call her *C, whilst I got along OK with her, she and *A seemed to detest each other which made things difficult and awkward when they had to exchange information about me. It would have been a lot more easier being in a placement with a social worker if the Social Worker not only got on well with me, but also the Foster Carer.

My placement with *A sadly ended when her father passed away and I had to bear witness to his suffering due to his Degenerative disorder. What seems to be a act of retribution (From My Point Of View) *C took advantage of the situation and deemed it unsafe for me to be with *A, due to her eccentricity and my apparent depression after her father’s death I was placed into ‘Rest Bite’ with *B for 2 days.

These 2 days ended up being 3 years as I got along well with everyone living with *B, it also helped a little bit that I was given my games back to act like a ‘normal’ teenager. The 3 years I spent with B* and everyone seemed to have gone fast now that I look back on it.

When I was put in placement with *B, *C was replaced by someone else, she opposite to *C did get along with *B and me quite well which made life 10x Easier. To skip a bit near the end of my placement I was provided a Leave Care Worker of whom has and will still help me with everything up till this day. He has been amazing in providing me support and we get along with each other extremely well informally as well.

When I transitioned to independent living, I was initially homesick, I felt lonely, but when I had access to the internet, I was able to talk with my close friends and my previous carers with ease.

After that, life on my own became a bit more manageable. However due to me moving from a family of 7 to just me, the lack of sound and general noise was unsettling, to counter this I ended up listening to music and started singing/humming to myself whilst cooking and tidying.

Initially I ended up living off ready meals and cold food from the nearest premier. Whilst in care, my carer incentivised me to start cooking for myself, but I only took that advice near the end of my foster placement. I wish that I made food for myself years prior to independent living where I didn’t have to worry about paying for ingredients, as now when I am cooking, I don’t have room for experimentation otherwise Ill end up starving myself.

Looking back, the initial living off ready meals was extremely costly and I could have spent that money elsewhere and saved up.

My academical interests are within the body and its immune system, I am greatly interested in how the immune system and diseases combat each other. It is sort of a child fantasy which I’d love to indulge in. My interest in the immune system will hopefully lead me to do Masters in immunology.

My general hobbies can be seen as stereotypical, I enjoy playing video games online and lesser so Sports. I do however, like going on brisk walks. My more niche hobbies involve playing Chess, and more recently learning how to play Shog (Japanese Chess), I also have a collection of Rubix cubes which I like to solve in my spare time.

Currently I am in University Studying a BSc In Biomedical Science, as mentioned in my hobbies and interests I would like to Study at a MSc Level for Immunology. If I were to achieve my degrees, I would want to work somewhere which specifically focuses on the immune system, I do not know what specific job it will be, but job opportunities will be within pharmaceuticals, becoming my own research Scientist, or just be a Biomedical Scientist with Immunology as my forte.

If you are a care leaver and would like advice please contact: The Leaving Care Team on 01978295610

If you would like more information on becoming a foster carer please contact: Taylor Downes  01978295316 , Taylor.Downes@wrexham.gov.uk

If you would like to find more information on offering supported lodgings, please contact: Sara Jones –  sara.jones@wrexham.gov.uk, 01978295320

If you’re looking for a new career and want to help people in your community, a job in social care could be the right move.

Wrexham Street Pastors are inviting church members (over 18) of all denominations to join them as they continue their important work on the streets of Wrexham town centre.

Established here since 2006 they engage with people who may need assistance during their evening out and regularly provide emotional and practical help.

Work in social care and be the lifeline your community needs.

Every Saturday and two Fridays a month they take to the streets between 10 pm until the early hours of the following day and can be seen handing out flipflops and water and lending an appreciated ear to anyone who is upset or frustrated.

“No two nights are ever the same”

Gareth Jones from Street Pastors said, “No two nights are ever the same and we’re always happy to help where we can to provide assistance and support.

“We’re getting low in numbers right now, mainly due to the effects of the Pandemic and we’re encouraging new members to get in touch and join us in the rewarding work.”

If you’re interested in joining the Street Pastors you will need to undertake a short training course. You can find out more by taking a look at their website.

Cllr Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Communities, Partnerships, Public Protection and Community Safety, said, “Street Pastors are a very welcome and active addition to ensuring the streets of Wrexham are safe for those enjoying the town centre night time economy.

“They are a committed group of individuals and the Police and Council welcome their presence and appreciate the valuable addition they make to public safety.”

If you’re looking for a new career and want to help people in your community, a job in social care could be the right move.

[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” https://myaccount.wrexham.gov.uk/en/service/Care_Jobs_in_Wrexham”]FIND LOCAL CARE JOBS[/button]

A care leaver is a young person between the ages of 16 and 25 who has at some point been looked after away from their family.

The period between being in care and then becoming a care leaver can be a very daunting experience, especially at such a young age.

WORK IN SOCIAL CARE AND BE THE LIFELINE YOUR COMMUNITY NEEDS.

As part of Care leavers week we have invited some of our young care leavers to share their experiences, advice, their stories, and their plans and aspirations for the future.

We have been extremely moved by some of the young people’s accounts and other than small changes to in some cases maintain anonymity, the inspiring words spoken are by the young care leavers themselves.

All care leavers were asked the same questions, and the answers show that their personal circumstances and personalities have meant that they have all had quite different experiences to each other.

We hope that their words will offer comfort, advice and inspiration to other young adults in similar situations…

I am 18, soon to be 19. I have lived in Wrexham all my life, and am currently doing an apprenticeship in management. After leaving school with 12 GCSE’s , which was unexpected and I am very proud of myself.

I have a boyfriend of 2 and half years, 2 dogs and a cat. I learnt to drive when I was 17, passed for the first time and bought my own car. I have come a long way to get to this point and am very optimistic about my future.

I have enrolled in a business management degree at university, which I can do part time while working, which is the best option for me as I can learn and earn at the same time.
Like a lot of girls my age I am passionate about makeup and fashion. I have been doing an accredited online course for make up, I have also been doing make up for family friends for weddings and parties etc.

I enjoy going to the gym because it’s a nice way to unwind after working and it improves how I feel. I like to bake and also like eating the end result haha!!

I entered the care system at a very young age, although I was so young I do remember life before going into foster care. It’s strange because I have very mixed emotions about these memories. I spent 5 years with a lovely couple however circumstances changed. After this I was moved around and my teenage years were very difficult due to this. There just wasn’t a right fit between myself and the foster families.

When I was 14 my dad passed away, and also the foster carer I was living with suddenly passed away, within months of each other. As you can imagine my emotions were all over the place and it was very hard for years. What followed was a lot of short term placements and insecurities. If it wasn’t for the support of the school and my long term social worker of 11 years, I don’t know how I would’ve dealt with this period.

I was angry and very lost and undertook counselling to help me make sense of my feelings.

In December 2016, I was put into an emergency placement with somebody I knew. At the start it was very hard to settle in and process all the stuff that had happened in the past.
However, 5 years later I am still here. I class them as my real family now and I am very happy.

They have taught me life skills I never would’ve had, how to manage my money, and not just a house but a home. I feel very safe here, secure and loved which I have never felt before.

The transition from 16-18 years old was not very noticeable, in terms of the care situation. This was due to still having the same social worker throughout and the family I was with arguing I can stay on as a leaving care young person. I feel like I was very independent anyways so there was not much improvement to have.

I have been placed on the housing list, however I am currently saving for a deposit on my own house and saved quite a bit. Honestly I would not have believed that I would have achieved this even last year.

As I mentioned earlier I am due to start a degree and even though I will still be living at home and working, I am entitled to support as a leaving care person. Which will really help me financially. I have been guided through these processes and opportunities by my lovely Personal Assistant.

At the moment I am working towards finishing my level 3 apprenticeship (A level equivalent) and earning money at the same time. I feel as if an apprenticeship was more suitable for me as I have a strong work ethic and was very keen to learn life skills. I’m the future I am hoping to use my business degree to take on a management role in a business.

I think I will be putting a deposit on my own house in the next few years and maybe travelling a bit more if these restrictions lift soon.

Looking back just over 5 short years, it hasn’t been easy and I had to work at relationships and at expressing my feelings, without frustration and anger. I find it much easier now. I have a lot more independence and support when I need it. I am very confident and freely can do what I want, driving especially helps as it’s giving me independence and a sense of achievement.

To anyone reading this who feels like it’s a bit of a bleak outlook, find the right people, find the right support and work on yourself, and things will seem a lot clearer.

If you are a care leaver and would like advice please contact: The Leaving Care Team on 01978295610

If you would like more information on becoming a foster carer please contact: Taylor Downes 01978295316 , Taylor.Downes@wrexham.gov.uk

If you would like to find more information on offering supported lodgings, please contact: Sara Jones – sara.jones@wrexham.gov.uk, 01978295320

If you’re looking for a new career and want to help people in your community, a job in social care could be the right move.

[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” https://myaccount.wrexham.gov.uk/en/service/Care_Jobs_in_Wrexham”]FIND LOCAL CARE JOBS[/button]

We’re recruiting for Residential Childcare Officers to work at our young person’s respite centre in Tapley Avenue, Wrexham.

You’ll be supporting children and young people who have emotional and challenging behaviours to support all aspects of their care and helping them to achieve their personal outcomes.

Residential Childcare Officers – TAKE ME TO THE JOB

Principal duties and responsibilities

• To form, develop and maintain professional relationships with children and young people through direct supervision, shared activity and counselling, in such a way that the child/young person’s needs are met.
• Meet any medical needs as outlined in care plans and the children’s homes regulations.
• To provide good quality primary care which meets primary needs, promotes development, provides a nurturing experience, assists behavioural difficulties and vulnerabilities, and which also promotes the purposeful use of leisure time.
• To act as key worker for specified children/young people and families.
• To advise senior managers as to any concern in respect of children or young people with particular reference to their being at risk of abuse or harm in or outside the Unit.
• To promote the educational needs and develop positive involvement in educational provision.
• To promote independence skills and social inclusion

General Information about the role

This is a 5-day-a-week post on a rota basis, and in addition includes sleeping-in and on-call duties as required.  This will involve working weekends, Bank Holidays and evenings/nights on a regular basis in order to ensure that the unit is adequately staff 24 hours/365 days per year.

This involves working on a rotational waking night roster.  It involves working weekends, Bank Holidays and nights on a regular basis in order to ensure that the unit is adequately staffed during the time that the home is open.

Salary is G07 SCP 17 – 20 £24,491 – £25,991 per annum

There’s 4 full time position and one part time (18.5 hours) available.

We’re looking for people who are qualified to NVQ Level 3 Health and Social Care (Child Care) or have the ability and commitment to obtain this on appointment.

You’ll need a knowledge and awareness of the needs and wishes of young people in need, an understanding of the legislation relating to working with young children and be able to work with young people, their parents and on a multi agency basis.

You’ll be self motivated, with great communication skills, be able to work under pressure and be willing to continuing your professional development.

Want to find out more?

Check out the opportunity on our website.

About Tapley Avenue Respite Centre

Tapley Avenue Respite Centre is a service that offers respite throughout the year , on a planned basis, to children and young people with a disability aged between 6 and 17. This includes physical or learning disabilities, sensory impairments and or chronic illness. Their range of facilities and dedicated staff team ensure that they can meet the needs of all the children in their care.

Respite is offered in the form of sessions and overnight stays.

A care leaver is a young person between the ages of 16 and 25 who has at some point been looked after away from their family.

The period between being in care and then becoming a care leaver can be a very daunting experience, especially at such a young age.

As part of Care leavers week we have invited some of our young care leavers to share their experiences, advice, their stories, and their plans and aspirations for the future.

We have been extremely moved by some of the young people’s accounts and other than small changes to in some cases maintain anonymity, the inspiring words spoken are by the young care leavers themselves.

All care leavers were asked the same questions, and the answers show that their personal circumstances and personalities have meant that they have all had quite different experiences to each other.

We hope that their words will offer comfort, advice and inspiration to other young adults in similar situations…

I’m 22 years old currently studying football coaching and management at UCFB whilst working as supervisor at Trespass.

Work in social care and be the lifeline your community needs.

I love playing competitive team sports such as football, basketball but I play footy for a women’s team in Salford and also at university.

My hobbies are most sports but mainly team sports as they’re more competitive. I like hanging with my mates from university and outside of uni. I like cooking healthy food and also love drawing as it helps to relax.

I can’t remember the exact age I came into care but I’ve been in the care system since a very very young age and still am.

The experience was very scary and not the best at first but times heal you and let’s you understand the situation and how care can actually help you a lot with everything you wanna achieve in life.

My foster carers always told me to be very independent before moving out and doing everything myself so this experience was amazing for me. I love being independent and doing everything myself.

I’m currently at university and working as supervisor but I’d love to be a coach for Manchester City community when finishing university.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

I enjoy a good laugh with my close mates  and long walks with my dogs and am happier being with animals than people as they give me comfort whereas people give me drama.

I love reading and creative writing. Binge watching is something i could win a medal in and I love to draw. Dancing and music is my life.

I was 8 years old turning 9 when I came into care

The experience was stressful and traumatic but i had good people who are around me and helped ease me into it. They helped me have a good life and as hard as it was to adjust I’m so grateful for the help and support they’ve given me

It was very difficult but the support they give you is unreal if it’s possible they make it happen they are there for every blip or need after giving you a good push and really do go above and beyond to help you with your independence journey, they’re always friendly and reassuring and support you to no end. If you ask for help they will to the best of their ability.

Thanks to the leaving care team and they’re support I am a cleaner at a high school and awaiting a property so not only have they given me the support to get back into work they have given me the confidence to move out. Id love to go to university to do a creative writing course to see where it takes me.

If you are a care leaver and would like advice please contact: The Leaving Care Team on 01978295610

If you would like more information on becoming a foster carer please contact: Taylor Downes  01978295316 , Taylor.Downes@wrexham.gov.uk

If you would like to find more information on offering supported lodgings, please contact: Sara Jones –  sara.jones@wrexham.gov.uk, 01978295320

If you’re looking for a new career and want to help people in your community, a job in social care could be the right move.

[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” https://myaccount.wrexham.gov.uk/en/service/Care_Jobs_in_Wrexham”]FIND LOCAL CARE JOBS[/button]

Trading Standards are warning householders following a spate of complaints where householders have been cold called and persuaded to have their radiators cleaned out at costs ranging from £1300 to £1500.

In one case the householder already had an existing service contract and it was highly unlikely that this additional work would have been necessary.

Work in social care and be the lifeline your community needs.

If you are approached please exercise caution.

• Do your radiators really need cleaning out?
• Is this price reasonable?

Advice from Trading Standards is not to do business with cold callers. If you think you need work done on your property seek quotes from reputable businesses.

If you are not sure who to use look for recommendations and get help from friends or family, always have the full business details including name and address. If the trader is doing specialist work on central heating systems or electrics make sure they are qualified and competent.

Please look out for anyone you know who could be vulnerable, friends, family or neighbours.

For advice or to report an incident call Citizens Advice Consumer Service 0808 223 1133 (1144 for Welsh)

If you’re looking for a new career and want to help people in your community, a job in social care could be the right move.

[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” https://myaccount.wrexham.gov.uk/en/service/Care_Jobs_in_Wrexham”]FIND LOCAL CARE JOBS[/button]