Agenda item

The Overview and Scrutiny Officer gave a verbal update on the review activity Members agreed to carry out, with regards to the Role of the Social worker from a Child’s Perspective.

Evidence gathering had taken place over seven meetings and one site visit from December 2017 to June 2018.  The Evidence related to the point in time when the review activity occurred.

During the course of the review the working group received evidence from Social Workers; Newly Qualified Social Workers; Managers in children’s social care and young people who had experience of the system.

The key findings fell into three categories:

·         Service Improvement – that included the introduction of electronic referral forms; an up to date IT system; a robust quality assurance programme and service restructure.

·         Training and Development – routes into social work were varied; the social worker academy continued to grow.

·         What Children Said – Children and Young People had varying experiences of their social workers; most young people wanted to be contacted via telephone.

From the key findings the review group formulated seven recommendations.  The report was still a work in progress and was being checked for comment and accuracy, but the draft report would be shared with the Committee before it went to Cabinet in December.

In relation to other review activity – a working group had been established to consider Children’s Private Residential Care Homes and the first meeting would take place on Monday 29 October 2018.  All members of the review group had been informed of the meeting dates.

Resolved:

That the update be noted.