Dan Peters 24 May 2019

'Slow progress' two years after inadequate judgement

Gloucestershire CC is making ‘slow progress’ in improving its services for its children and young people two years after it was judged inadequate, Ofsted has found.

In a letter, inspector Nicola Bennett wrote: ‘Overall, key areas that make a difference to children’s lives, such as being seen quickly, being kept safe and developing trusting relationships with social workers, are not yet good enough.

‘Despite a number of practice improvements in the multi-agency safeguarding hub and, although performance is improving, delays in decision-making remain for too many children where there are immediate safeguarding concerns.

‘A significant concern remains that only just over half of children referred to children’s services remain a timely visit to assess their circumstances and ascertain their welfare.

'Performance over time is not improving.

‘The views of children and young people are not routinely represented at child protection meetings and, where young people are not consistently engaged, the effectiveness of interventions is reduced.

‘Management oversight is not yet sufficiently rigorous or challenging to ensure that children’s circumstances are improving within reasonable timescales.’

Gloucestershire’s cabinet member for children and young people, Richard Boyles, said: ‘The team continue to work hard to make the changes needed to improve the lives of our most vulnerable children and young people in the county.

‘The senior leadership team has a vision and a plan to get there.

'We need to keep up the recruitment drive for permanent social workers and work closely with teams to make sure good practice is common across all areas.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Head of Democratic Services, Elections & Monitoring Officer

Harborough District Council
Grade 12 £67,236 – £71,223 plus £3000pa Statutory Officer Allowance
We are looking for an accomplished and proactive leader for our vacant post of Head of Democratic Services & Elections Market Harborough, Leicestershire
Recuriter: Harborough District Council

Chief Executive

Westmorland and Furness Council
£188,227
Join us on our journey Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Director, Local Government Reform and Devolution

Essex County Council
Up to £150,612pa
Shape the Future of Essex Chelmsford, Essex/Remots
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Senior bridge Engineer - WMF2212e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£47,181 - £48,226
You will be the key responsible engineer for this area and will also provide technical advice and guidance to our team Cumbria / Various
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Lead Approved Mental Health Professional - WMF2213e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£56,883 - £59,198
Are you a passionate, experienced Approved Mental Health Professional Cumbria / Various
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council
Linkedin Banner