Issue - meetings

That the evaluation report be received and the involvement in the pilot be endorsed. 

The Head of Social Services for Children introduced a report to advise the Committee of Children’s Services involvement in the Social Services Improvement Agency project. 

Two of the social workers, Brigid Gore and Mike Jones, were introduced to the Committee.  The Head of Social Services for Children detailed the background to the report, explaining that four social workers had worked for approximately ten months using an outcomes-based approach with three of their cases.  Mr. Jones provided details of the case that he had worked on, explaining how he had used the “Turning the Curve” exercises as a visualisation tool to encourage interaction between the children and parent.  He felt that from his point of view, this worked well but added that it was important for the social worker to choose the appropriate tools to create the greatest impact.  Ms. Gore spoke about a case that she had inherited and the work undertaken by the social worker, Duty Team and the Family Intervention Team with the parent and child.  She explained that their relationship had now dramatically improved and the child was much happier.  Councillor Hilary McGuill felt that the work undertaken had taught the individuals to care and to think about the results of their actions and the effect it would have on others as it was automatically assumed that everyone knew how to be a parent but this was not always the case.       

Councillor Hilary Isherwood commented that in most cases she felt that it was crucially important that the mother and child were not separated.  In response to a comment from Councillor Andy Dunbobbin, the Head of Social Services for Children detailed work undertaken with ‘Action for Children’ and explained about accessing Mental Health Services.  She added that each case was reviewed by an Independent Review Officer. 

 In response to a comment from Councillor Cindy Hinds about a recent case of a child that had died in Bradford but had not been discovered for two years, the Head of Social Services for Children said that it was a learning organisation and that issues which had been broadcast nationally were shared at team meetings.  She reminded Members that social workers did not have an automatic right to enter a property if there were concerns and that they would liaise with the Police if necessary about accessing a property.  Mr. Jones said that social workers gained experience through their work and that there was a need for all other agencies to be part of a planned process to improve the life of children.  The Director of Community Services said that there was a need to learn from tragic cases from across the country and also to learn from good practice.  He thanked Mr. Jones and Ms. Gore for sharing their experiences with the Committee.    

RECEIVED:

That the evaluation report be received and the involvement in the pilot be endorsed.