Shropshire Star

Children's services improving but more work to do

A new report has found that a local authority's struggling children's services is beginning to improve but there is still more work to do.

Published
Powys County Hall

Powys County Council's cabinet was told on Tuesday, that an improvement board has seen significant progress in putting the necessary infrastructure in place with stronger leadership, finance and performance management.

The report in 2017 found that the service was putting children at a serious risk of harm.

There were also early signs of progress in staff recruitment and of improvement in social work practice, however further substantial work remains in this area.

Quality social work practice is key to improving the service and delivering the outcomes set out in the council’s improvement plan for children’s services.

Cabinet Member for children’s services, councillor Rachel Powell said a media report over the weekend claiming that the service was unsustainable due to staffing issues was inaccurate and based on historic data covering a period from October to December 2017.

She said: “Current information shows that children’s services have a staffing complement of 360.

"It is made up of 88 per cent permanent or fixed term posts and the remainder are agency or casual staff.

"Most of them were brought in to support front line service delivery following an inspection last year. In February, 15 staff were absent because of sickness, with the loss of 108 working days.

“Children’s services are a corporate priority and our recovery plans have been accepted by Care Inspectorate Wales and Welsh Government.

"We have an improvement board and they are reporting improvements while accepting there is much work to do."

The council's improvement plan outlines the priority actions needed, including an overall focus on the rights of a child.

It also identifies areas where investment is required to support best practice, and the budget for the coming year includes an investment of £6.172 million, which represents a 47 per cent increase.

Councillor Powell added: "They report very early signs of improvement in social work practice, such as timescales for the completion of assessments, frequency of statutory visits and direct work with young people.

"However, it is the case that further substantial work remains in this area.

“We know there is work to do but we are committed to driving forward and delivering the standard of service our families need."