Following an unannounced inspection of contact, referral and assessment arrangements at the city council on 8 and 9 March Ofsted have said ‘The majority of areas for development have been fully addressed’.
Ofsted inspectors gathered evidence from electronic case records, supervision files and notes, observation of social workers and interviews with staff and managers.
The report states areas of development identified at a previous inspection of contact, referral and assessments arrangements in June 2010 have been addressed with only one area remaining that requires development.
The report goes on to highlight good work in: prompt action taken on contacts and referrals; case records being largely thorough and up-to-date; social workers have access to a wide range of training and are well supported; and police domestic violence referrals are now being addressed in a timely fashion.
Sharon Menghini, Director for Children and Young People Services said: “Given this was an unannounced inspection it gives a true picture of exactly how much proactive development work we have put into our contact, referral and assessment services. These services are very important when it comes to safeguarding children in our city which is a priority for us. While there remain areas for us to address, overall it is really good news for us. The Council is making significant progress in driving our Children and Young People Services forward as a service we are proud off.”
Areas for development mentioned in the report are around duplication in the current system of paper files and telephone calls as well as needing to more clearly consider previous history of social care involvement with families in all re-referrals and assessments. Work has already started to put these areas right as soon as possible.
“Sharon Menghini, Director for Children and Young People Services said: “Given this was an unannounced inspection it gives a true picture of exactly how much…”
So if it was a planned visit it wouldn’t be a true picture?
Of course not, anyone who works in education knows that schools have a rough idea of when Ofsted will be coming in make proactive steps to mask their weaknesses.
So an unannounced check proves Stoke is improving. Simples.
Of course it is easy to improve if you raise the ceiling before accepting cases.
I have lost count of the times that young people who are seriously at risk of neglect, or abuse have been removed from the Case Load of Social Workers, or when other agencies have had to fight to keep a Child Protection Order in place.
What this article hasn’t addressed is what benefit has there been to the lives of the children involved.
Keeping lists and going to meetings means nothing without actions which make a difference.
Tideswellman, ABSOLUTELY. Unnanounced checks are THE TRUE check. And the conclusions you make, I agree with. Just because it is the council doesn’t mean that the social workers don’t care or are not making progress. The bottom line is the kids’ welfare, not kicking social workers or the council in the teeth. And this shows that the counil and social workers are making improvements. That’s good. No, better thatn good. Of course there is plenty of room for more, but for f*ks sake stop knocking those who are sincerely doing there best every single day to make a difference. Applaud the progress …
“Areas for development mentioned in the report are”
“duplication in the current system of paper files and telephone calls” – obvious.
“needing to more clearly consider previous history of social care involvement with families in all re-referrals and assessments” – I know nothing about social work but even I can see that’s obvious.
Why do they need ofsted to tell them these things, they’re obvious.
Dr Menghini cannot take credit for this, she has barely beem in pace for a year yet and it was this part of Children’s Services which were the main reason that intervention was brought in.
A massive amount of work was done in the years of intervention, to bring the social care aspect of Children’s Services up to a 21st Century Service.
It seems some things may have slipped back since the days of Beate and Co. handbagging everyone in the Dept. if they stepped out of line.