GOVERNMENT inspectors have identified some improvements in Worcestershire County Council’s troubled children’s services in their latest inspection.
A year on from OfSTED’s damning verdict which labelled the department as inadequate, inspectors have identified a positive shift in the morale and culture of the workforce.
An increased confidence among the council’s social workers was found and in a letter released following their visit in January, OfSTED has welcomed the ‘significant financial investment’ made by the county chiefs to enable the changes.
While social work practice still needs to improve, inspectors report progress is starting to be made.
Inspectors reported seeing reduced caseloads for some, but not all parts of the workforce. However they also found some children continue to experience too many changes in social workers and team managers and have urged council bosses to focus on the issue as an area for further improvement.
Coun Andy Roberts, cabinet member for Children and Families, said: “Our staff are working very hard to deliver the improvements that we need to deliver.
“I am pleased inspectors have seen some evidence of improvement for the second monitoring visit in a row.
“There is a lot more that we have to do and to support these ongoing improvements we are investing an extra £10.5million into Children’s Social Care in Worcestershire from April.”
Staff from Essex County Council are working alongside County Hall chiefs to introduce improvements to the service.
Members of Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet will meet next month to discuss an alternative way of delivering these services in the future.
Council bosses hope the move will mean more focus on improving services and keeping children and young people safe from harm.
