A CLEAN bill of health has been given to Inverclyde’s social work department.

An annual review praised staff for ‘empowering people’ to challenge inequality, discrimination and tackle deprivation.

The report from the area’s chief social work officer highlighted successes and improvements made over the past year, while identifying key challenges which lie ahead.

Councillor Joe McIlwee, convener of the health and social care committee, said: “Everything that we do is designed to empower people to challenge inequality and discrimination and to overturn the effects of deprivation.

“We have long-established working relationships with health service colleagues, the independent and third sectors and housing to address the challenges and to deliver better outcomes for the people of Inverclyde.

“The health and social care partnership (HSCP) is an innovative and solution-focused partnership with dedicated and skilled staff, a local population keen to work in partnership with us and agencies who want to join us in our core vision of improving lives.”

Key successes mentioned in the report include early intervention and effective prevention to improve the health of the local population and reducing the demand for services, particularly in acute care.

The area’s provision of support to young people with learning difficulties when leaving school and the approach to working with women in the criminal justice system were also praised.

Mr McIlwee said: “It has been a challenging but rewarding year across the HSCP.

“We can be confident that we have continued to advance our core aim of improving lives.

“We have sought to learn and grow as an integrated partnership and can be confident in our ability to set a bar for national comparison. This year is proving to be another challenging one, but we are looking ahead with confidence and positivity.”