Cracks in the System: The Strain on Pembrokeshire's Adult Social Services

Who will step in when the system finally gives out?

In the heart of West Wales lies the stunning county of Pembrokeshire, known for its rugged coastline, National Parks, and historic charm. But beneath the photogenic veneer, a crisis is brewing.

Pembrokeshire County Council's Adult Social Services department is stretched to breaking point. Overburdened, underfunded, and often overlooked by higher-level councilors, the department is struggling to meet the basic needs of some of the county's most vulnerable residents.

A System in Collapse 

Residents, carers, and social workers alike are ringing alarm bells about the deteriorating state of adult social care. Reports of elderly individuals going weeks without proper care, adults with disabilities left isolated, and family carers bearing unsustainable loads are no longer rare—they are the norm.

"My mother went five days without a visit after her care package was reduced without notice," says Mrs Jones, a resident of Haverfordwest. "I had to leave work to make sure she was fed and clean. Nobody told us anything until it was too late."

Such stories are increasingly common. And they point to a deeper structural issue: chronic under-funding and lack of strategic support.

Funding Cuts and Council Apathy 

According to internal figures obtained from the Pembrokeshire County Council budget documents for 2024/25, adult social care services faced a budget cut of 7% compared to the previous fiscal year. In a county where the elderly population is above the national average, this cut is devastating.

Yet, many councilors appear either unwilling or unable to push back against austerity policies. A senior care team leader, who asked to remain anonymous, stated, "We raise these issues in meetings. We write reports. But the decisions at the top are more focused on economic optics than human need."

Voices from the Front Line 

For the social workers at the coalface, the reality is even grimmer.

"I'm currently managing 38 open cases," says one PCC social worker in the Fishguard area. "The recommended maximum is 15-20. I'm constantly firefighting. I can't offer the kind of support people need—like benefit advice, help with paying bills, or even checking if their basic needs are met."

She goes on to describe how she recently discovered a client who hadn’t had hot water for three weeks. "He didn't want to bother anyone. He thought we were too busy. He was right."

Statistical Snapshot 

In 2024, Pembrokeshire had a 12.3% increase in adult social service referrals, but staffing levels remained flat.

Over 60% of adult social care recipients reported dissatisfaction with the timeliness of services, according to a county-wide survey.

40% of social workers reported considering leaving the profession due to burnout and unmanageable workloads.

The Human Cost 

The result of these systemic issues is that real people are falling through the cracks. People like Mr Phillips, a 68-year-old stroke survivor in Milford Haven, who had his care visits reduced from three times daily to once a day. "They said it was due to staff shortages. I can't get out of bed some mornings. I feel like I've been abandoned."

Family members are often left to fill the gap—or simply can't. The pressure on informal carers has never been higher, and many are struggling with their own health and finances.

A Desperate Plea 

Community forums across Pembrokeshire have been flooded with pleas for help. Petitions have been launched, and concerned citizens are writing to their MPs and AMs. But many feel their voices fall on deaf ears.

"It's not just a budget line," says another PCC social worker. "These are people—human beings who deserve dignity and care. We're doing our best, but we're breaking."

The people of Pembrokeshire are proud, resilient, and compassionate. But they are running out of options, out of time, and out of hope. If no action is taken soon, the community fears a total collapse of the adult social care safety net.

As this year passes by and winter approaches and demand increases, the question looms: Who will step in when the system finally gives out?

Until real change comes, Pembrokeshire remains a county in quiet crisis—its most vulnerable waiting in silence for a system that no longer hears them.

[PCC staff are not identified. Individuals names have been changed]