Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Corporate Director of Children and Young People’s Services which provided an overview of the progress being made within Children’s Social Care to embed high quality relationship based social work.

The Strategic Manager Safeguarding and Professional Practice was in attendance to present the report and deliver a presentation that provided the background and key developments; impact and the next steps (for copy of report and presentation, see file of minutes).

As the framework has developed its use among teams has increased including use by partners in educational settings and the North East Ambulance Service. Members were advised that the practice framework was having a positive impact on children and families in County Durham and that it was also a thread running through the recent ILACS and was highlighted that social workers use strong relationship based practice to build trusting and enduring relationships with children and their families.

Councillor Walton asked what percentage of staff overall had taken up the staff training.

The Strategic Manager Safeguarding and Professional Practice responded that he would get back to Councillor Walton with the exact figures but indicated that the majority of staff had attended the two-day training course. The five-day training course was now a six-day advance course that was targeted at managers, social consultants and early practitioners.

Mrs Gunn commented that they were achieving real sustainable change that demonstrated they had high investment and were delivering high value.

The Strategic Manager Safeguarding and Professional Practice indicated that the work practice was delivered across the whole system so that the child and family were empowered and experience continuity.

Resolved: That the report and presentation be noted.