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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Report reveals service failings | Report reveals service failings |
| (about 10 hours later) | |
| Failings in Clackmannanshire Council's children's services have been criticised by education inspectors. | Failings in Clackmannanshire Council's children's services have been criticised by education inspectors. |
| The HMIe review comes after a 12-month inspection was carried out to determine the level of care offered to vulnerable youngsters in the area. | The HMIe review comes after a 12-month inspection was carried out to determine the level of care offered to vulnerable youngsters in the area. |
| Council leader Janet Cadenhead admitted a "less than adequate" service had been provided in the past. | Council leader Janet Cadenhead admitted a "less than adequate" service had been provided in the past. |
| She blamed the department's failings on low staffing levels and insisted the service was now improving. | She blamed the department's failings on low staffing levels and insisted the service was now improving. |
| The report assessed services between March 2006-2007. | The report assessed services between March 2006-2007. |
| During the period of inspection, staffing levels within the department reportedly fell to as low as 30% - at one point 12 out of 18 social worker posts were vacant. | During the period of inspection, staffing levels within the department reportedly fell to as low as 30% - at one point 12 out of 18 social worker posts were vacant. |
| It is clear that child protection, previously, fell below the high level of our other social care services Janet Cadenhead Council leader | It is clear that child protection, previously, fell below the high level of our other social care services Janet Cadenhead Council leader |
| The limited staff numbers resulted in a "weak" service for those in the greatest need. | |
| In particular, inspectors raised concerns about the department's ability to recognise and assess the risks faced by vulnerable children. | |
| The council said its child care service was now fully staffed and that staff morale was improving. | The council said its child care service was now fully staffed and that staff morale was improving. |
| It also insisted best practice was being developed and that there had been significant investment in staff training. | It also insisted best practice was being developed and that there had been significant investment in staff training. |
| READ IN FULL HMIe report [71.6KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here | |
| Ms Cadenhead: "We take this report very seriously, particularly as some aspects of the service for protecting vulnerable children were less than adequate prior to March 2007. | Ms Cadenhead: "We take this report very seriously, particularly as some aspects of the service for protecting vulnerable children were less than adequate prior to March 2007. |
| "While we recognised problems and started improvements before the inspection took place, it is clear that child protection, previously, fell below the high level of our other social care services. | "While we recognised problems and started improvements before the inspection took place, it is clear that child protection, previously, fell below the high level of our other social care services. |
| "Clackmannanshire Council is dedicated to providing the highest standards of care to children and I am confident that we have made and are continuing to make improvements to the service that will make a real difference." | "Clackmannanshire Council is dedicated to providing the highest standards of care to children and I am confident that we have made and are continuing to make improvements to the service that will make a real difference." |
| Children's rights | Children's rights |
| Dave Jones, chairman of Forth Valley Child Protection Strategy group, added: "Some months before HMIe arrived we had identified the issues and key areas for improvement. | Dave Jones, chairman of Forth Valley Child Protection Strategy group, added: "Some months before HMIe arrived we had identified the issues and key areas for improvement. |
| "We brought in an external consultant to draw up an action plan and completely restructured the child care service. | "We brought in an external consultant to draw up an action plan and completely restructured the child care service. |
| "Our action plan has been with HMIe for some months now. It contains a number of points for action, half of which have already been implemented with work ongoing to put the other changes into action within a matter of months." | "Our action plan has been with HMIe for some months now. It contains a number of points for action, half of which have already been implemented with work ongoing to put the other changes into action within a matter of months." |
| Despite the criticism, inspectors praised the efforts of staff in working to obtain help for children and families as well as the promotion of children's rights and the involvement of children in the development of services. | Despite the criticism, inspectors praised the efforts of staff in working to obtain help for children and families as well as the promotion of children's rights and the involvement of children in the development of services. |