Update from Children’s Safeguarding
Improvement Board
Following
the meeting of the Children’s Safeguarding Improvement Board (CIB), there are
four key messages from Professor Ray Jones, independent Chair:
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1. Data management
Ray
was pleased to see improvements in performance data and more control in the
system.
Enquiries
coming into the MASH have plateaued and are being managed more effectively.
This has been achieved by more rigorous application of thresholds and risk
assessment in the MASH, meaning a lower proportion of those enquiries being
referred on for Initial Assessment, combined with capacity being focused on
acting on and closing those referrals deemed to be for children at less risk.
The number of open Initial Assessments fell to under 2,000 by mid-January.
Activity
levels are also beginning to fall further down the system for example, in the number of
open Core Assessments.
With
referrals dropping, the indicators are that the right help is there at the
right time. Partners were challenged to now be more confident about using links,
especially across Early Help, to provide support for those who are most in
need.
2. Back to Social
Work
The
restructure, which will be completed on Monday (3 February), was welcomed. In particular the added capacity it brings to strengthen
multi-agency relationships locally. Ray stressed that as professionals we need to know one
another more, create opportunities to communicate more fully and establish
greater links across the system to work together more effectively.
On-going concerns were raised about the management of CAMHS. Our health partners reported that a range of detailed actions are in place to mitigate the risks to children and young people including the appointment of case managers, agreement of a business case for assertive outreach services and a review of the care pathway.
The Wessex House unit in Bridgewater will also be re-opened, although it will be a few months before beds become available.
Despite these actions, the pace of change required continues to leave children and young people at risk with acute hospital admission being the default position. Many young people are being treated far from home and there is sustained pressure on the service. Partners were urged to continue their work to address these issues.
4. Performance Data
For
the next CIB, Ray requested wider performance data from all partners to ensure
a more accurate picture across the child protection system.
Partners’ update:
Education
Our
education partners reported much better and more consistent feedback from the
MASH following a referral; 121As are coming into the schools much more
consistently and there is more organisation in the targeted families programme.
Police
The
Force Safeguarding Vulnerable People Strategic Board will now meet on a monthly
rather than quarterly basis and will address priority areas such as domestic
abuse and sexual offences. Below the Board will be a Safeguarding Improvement
Group which will ensure decisions are acted upon and will drive performance.
In the news
Online abuse victims
let down by lack of training for child support workers, study reveals
Child victims of
online sexual abuse may not be getting the right protection or support because
training for child workers has not kept pace with technological advances,
according to new research by Plymouth Univsersity, out this week.
A survey of health, education and children’s services workers across England
revealed a black hole in the knowledge and capabilities of professionals
charged with assisting children who have been abused through the internet.
Fostering couple
have no plans to retire despite 55 years service
John and Mary Richardson from Exmouth,
awarded an MBE in the New Years Honours for services to children and
families, have recommended fostering with Fostering Devon as an incredibly
rewarding profession, and one that they don’t plan to retire from, despite
almost 55 years of service!
 Pictured: Mary Richardson with our Chairman Bernard Hughes.
Bulletin sent on behalf of
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