Key management messages
Dear colleague,
We have now received formal approval from Ofsted
for our Children’s Improvement plan. Bradley Simmons HMI Regional Director for
Ofsted for the South West wrote:
“I can confirm that the plan satisfactorily
reflects the recommendations and priorities of the inspection report…The plan
is written in a clear and accessible style and sets ambitious targets for your
local authority and partners over the coming months.”
Bradley also suggested that going forward, we
should consider including “greater emphasis on the quality of planning for
children; and a clearer definition of how you intend to improve performance”.
We
are continuing to make good progress against the actions in our plan. Read the achievements in the last month.
Head of Service for Children's Social Work
As you may have already heard, following a
thorough recruitment process, we have unfortunately been unsuccessful in
recruiting to the appointment of Head of Service for Children's Social Work.
Fiona Fitzpatrick’s contract continues until
the 31 March 2016, and we are taking stock and considering how best to go
forward so that we have someone in post before Fiona leaves us.
In the meantime, we would like to thank those
of you who participated in this process for your time and support.
We will be in touch shortly to update on next steps.
Have
you had your free flu jab yet?
Once again we are encouraging all front line
health and social care staff and people who are essential to business
continuity* to get the free flu jab. (*Ask your manager if you are eligible).
It is important to let your manager know you
have had it, so that our Emergency Planning team can capture data on the
numbers of staff vaccinated.
Take a look at our updated flu vaccination programme information on the Source
including how to claim back expenses using Your Self Service
Good news for Atkinson Secure
Children’s Home
On a recent visit to the
Atkinson Secure Children’s Home to carry out a full inspection, Ofsted inspectors have praised the progress made by the staff team in developing both
the care and education aspects of the home. Find out more.
Children in care Council meetings
Something is bubbling up amongst
young people in care… they really do want to tell us what they are thinking
about the services they receive from Devon County Council and it’s not all
complaints either!
They have some really good suggestions...
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Preparing
for Adulthood Strategy
Please read this draft Preparing for Adulthood Strategy and
give us your views by 18 December.
Enhanced
Strengths and Difficulties questionnaire for children in care
The
short behavioural screening tool used to gage the emotional health and wellbeing of children
in care is the 'Goodman Strengths
and Difficulties Questionnaire' (SDQ).
In
Devon, we have previously used one version of the SDQ, sent to the main carer
for them to complete about children and young people aged four years to 16
years that they look after. The process has now been enhanced, with the
introduction of two additional SDQ formats:
-
for the young person between ages of 11 – 17 years inclusive; and
- for the designated teacher.
Also,
SDQ will now be used for children up to the age of 17.
The
SWTRO will continue to administer the process, but please read the key actions for the
allocated social worker.
Virtual School working closely with our care leavers
The
insights work experience
students and care leavers have given us have proven very beneficial in helping us
better understand how we can better support our children in care, in schools.
Find out the progress and also the date for our next Children in Care Celebration
of Achievement Event.
Where
are you? Help us find you – the success of the staff directory depends on you…
Please ensure that your Staff
Directory entry is up-to-date. If you need
any assistance, please liaise with your local Business Support staff.
The
control is yours, the responsibility is yours
Am
I in the right group?
It is your
responsibility and that of your line manager to check and make sure you are in
the correct email distribution group.
To ensure that you do not miss any important
email notifications, and to ensure that sensitive information only goes to the
people with a need to know, it is vital that you make sure you are included in
all the right email distribution groups.
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