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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
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| Resign call after damning report | Resign call after damning report |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| An MSP has called for the leader of Clackmannanshire Council to resign after children's services in the district were severely criticised. | An MSP has called for the leader of Clackmannanshire Council to resign after children's services in the district were severely criticised. |
| The SNP's Keith Brown said an HMIe report into the department was one of the most damning he had ever seen. | The SNP's Keith Brown said an HMIe report into the department was one of the most damning he had ever seen. |
| Education inspectors were reporting on a 12-month review into the level of care offered to vulnerable youngsters. | Education inspectors were reporting on a 12-month review into the level of care offered to vulnerable youngsters. |
| 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 to 2007. | The report assessed services between March 2006 to 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. |
| READ IN FULL HMIe report [71.6KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here | READ IN FULL HMIe report [71.6KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here |
| The limited staff numbers resulted in a "weak" service for those in the greatest need. | 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. | In particular, inspectors raised concerns about the department's ability to recognise and assess the risks faced by vulnerable children. |
| The report stated: "Some children did not receive the right help at the right time and were left for too long in circumstances which placed them at risk." | The report stated: "Some children did not receive the right help at the right time and were left for too long in circumstances which placed them at risk." |
| It also said that although prompt action was taken in response to specific incidents of abuse, they added that "action was not always taken in good time when there were less pressing concerns". | It also said that although prompt action was taken in response to specific incidents of abuse, they added that "action was not always taken in good time when there were less pressing concerns". |
| As result, the report added: "Some children did not receive the help they needed early enough from social workers. | As result, the report added: "Some children did not receive the help they needed early enough from social workers. |
| "Inspectors were not confident that all children at risk of harm, abuse or neglect and in need of protection were being identified early enough to receive the help and support they needed." | "Inspectors were not confident that all children at risk of harm, abuse or neglect and in need of protection were being identified early enough to receive the help and support they needed." |
| 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 |
| Mr Brown, the member for Ochil, described council staff as being "totally committed" and "hard working" and added that he was confident improvements were now taking place. | Mr Brown, the member for Ochil, described council staff as being "totally committed" and "hard working" and added that he was confident improvements were now taking place. |
| But he launched an attack on council leaders, saying: "They say a society can be judged by how it treats its weakest and most vulnerable members." | But he launched an attack on council leaders, saying: "They say a society can be judged by how it treats its weakest and most vulnerable members." |
| He said Clackmannanshire's housing and homelessness services had previously been criticised. | He said Clackmannanshire's housing and homelessness services had previously been criticised. |
| And he added: "Now it has one of the most damning HMIe reports I've ever seen - this time on their care services for children. | And he added: "Now it has one of the most damning HMIe reports I've ever seen - this time on their care services for children. |
| "Some young people in their care lived without electricity or education for four or five years at a time. The only word for it is appalling." | "Some young people in their care lived without electricity or education for four or five years at a time. The only word for it is appalling." |
| He called Ms Cadenhead to "acknowledge that her leadership has let down council employees, service users, vulnerable children and the people of Clackmannanshire". | He called Ms Cadenhead to "acknowledge that her leadership has let down council employees, service users, vulnerable children and the people of Clackmannanshire". |
| 'Points for action' | 'Points for action' |
| 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. |
| A spokeswoman for the local authority disputed Mr Brown's assertion that youngsters had been forced to lived without education or electricity for five years. | A spokeswoman for the local authority disputed Mr Brown's assertion that youngsters had been forced to lived without education or electricity for five years. |
| In response to his resignation call, Ms Cadenhead said: "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. | |
| "When I became leader of the minority Labour administration in June 2007, the council was already well aware of the issues in child protection and improvements were well under way. | |
| "I am clear that my responsibility and accountability lies in taking these improvements forward and the administration has made this its highest priority. | "I am clear that my responsibility and accountability lies in taking these improvements forward and the administration has made this its highest priority. |
| "I will be judged on the success of our restructured child social work team. To abdicate responsibility at this crucial stage would serve no useful purpose and, in fact, could damage progress already made." | "I will be judged on the success of our restructured child social work team. To abdicate responsibility at this crucial stage would serve no useful purpose and, in fact, could damage progress already made." |
| 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. |