CAERPHILLY council and Blaenau Gwent council have approved permanent arrangements to create a joint social care workforce development service .

The plan, which was approved by Blaenau Gwent executive and Caerphilly council cabinet, will focus on creating a sustainable workforce development programme during times of budget cuts.

A Caerphilly council spokeswoman said: "Social services are experiencing increasing demands and must modernise and improve services despite intensifying pressures; the joint workforce development service will enable the workforce across the social care sector to be able to deliver an improved and rapidly changing service with the appropriate skills and qualifications"

Robin Woodyatt, cabinet member for Caerphilly's social services, and Haydn Trollope, executive member for Blaenau Gwent's adult social services, said: "We are committed to continually improving the services for residents in both boroughs. By working in collaboration we will be able to ensure staff and workers in the wider social care sector have the skills needed to deliver better quality and ever changing services.”

The permanent arrangements to develop the integrated team will promote efficiency, delivery and help enable the services to meet the Welsh Government social services and wellbeing bill.

Work continues to finalise the staffing structure for the new joint workforce development service.