Children's Improvement Board, Back to Social Work, Panels and Brokerage, CS102 form and more

Keeping Devon's Children Safe

Dear colleague

Welcome to this month’s edition of Keeping Devon’s Children Safe, which keeps you up to date with the latest developments and information affecting children’s services.

Now that the Back to Social Work structure has had time to bed in, we hope you are feeling the benefits of less bureaucracy in the system and that stronger working relationships are being built up across the service, and with our partners. Professor Ray Jones, independent Chair of the Children’s Improvement Board, made it clear at the last meeting that, as a result of the new structure, he expects to see noticeable and evidenced improvement in performance over the next two to three months.

A key aspect of Back to Social Work is the development of a professional career development pathway to provide a quality experience for staff, and give you the professional stimulation and career progression you deserve.

Much work has been taking place with of HR colleagues to build a workforce strategy and more details of the progress being made in this area, and some recent decisions taken by the Delivery Improvement Group to support career progression, can be found in this bulletin.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please email peopleservices-mailbox@devon.gov.uk

Bulletin sent on behalf of

Bulletin sent on behalf of Jennie and Will

Update from Children’s Safeguarding Improvement Board

Professor Ray Jones

Key messages from Professor Ray Jones, independent Chair of the Children’s Improvement Board (CIB)

At the recent CIB, Professor Jones stated that he was pleased to see the new Back to Social Work structure in place and, as a result, he now expects to see noticeable and evidenced improvement in performance over the next two to three months.

He also welcomed the roll-out of the Devon Assessment Framework next month, alongside the start of the Early Help Co-ordination Centre. These were cited as key developments which Ray expects to help free up professionals to spend more time with children and families.

There was also recognition from the Board that staff are very busy and that we must all focus on doing the important things that will protect children and improve their lives.


Ofsted Improvement Programme Overview

At the recent Children’s Safeguarding and Improvement Board, a programme overview report was presented. This highlighted

  • the overall trend in enquiries into the MASH
  • referrals for social care assessements from MASH
  • the overall number of children awaiting an assessment
  • how we can improve monitoring against the new Single Assessment Framework
  • increasing focus on improving recruitment and retention, and better management oversight following the resent restructure
  • ensuring that more case audits are undertaken to improve practice locally.

best practice

Learning from best practice in other local authorities

Between October and December 2013, a range of DCC officers attended best practice visits in Plymouth, Gateshead and Lincolnshire.

These local authorities' child protection arrangements were judged to be 'good' or 'outstanding' by Ofsted at their last inspection. They also visited Cornwall who had recently been graded 'adequate' after being subject to an Improvement Notice.

Read the report, the actions and the key findings. All documents are also located on the Ofsted staff intranet page.


Teams

Back to Social Work

The new Back to Social Work structure is now in place and operational from 1 February 2014.

An updated list of teams and staff can be found on The Source. There is a high volume of letters/contracts needed so please be patient,  read more.


SeaBothSides-website

Building the social work workforce into the future

Since the Ofsted inspection, our Human Resources and Workforce Development teams have been working closely with colleagues to develop an overarching strategy, identifying the workforce development activity focused on improving practice and supporting the service to retain the best staff and encourage them to reach their potential.

 To date 42 social workers have been recruited, up by 83% compared to 2012/13. Find out about the activity delivered so far.

We are keen to develop a robust learning and development programme which reflects the needs of our Social Work practitioners. In order to support that process we ask that social workers complete this self assessment survey online (use your DCC login) openly and honestly to help us to design a training programme that meets your needs. Survey ends Friday 7 March.


March 2014


Important updates

Children's Way We Work Group update

The Children's Way We Work Group discussed and agreed some important changes in practices and processes at the February meeting. Work has started to bring essential social work practice documents into a single locations and there are  plans for a pilot of CareMobile technology. Find out more

MASH

Lean Review Implementation Project

Good progress continues supporting children’s social work change. The main process review work is focusing on the processes for handling enquiries and referrals at the MASH and Customer Services Centre.

children

Panel and brokerage process

There are changes to the panel process, and also about approval to undertake a search.  Access the ‘Easy Jo’ guides to brokerage and panel process.


CareFirst OLM

Do you use the CS102 paper form?

The current paper CS102 paper form was replaced on 3 March by CareFirst forms to make sure we add the legal status, and placement details of the child onto CareFirst within one working day. Find out who this affects and what to do.


DBS

Refer Disclosure and Barring Service checks to your SWTRO

The process for Social Workers to request online Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for Family and Friends Carers and Special Guardianships applications has changed.  Requests for new DBS checks should now be emailed to your SWTRO.


County Hall

Do you work at County Hall?

Many colleagues at County Hall raised a number of issues of concern with Jennie Stephens when she visited recently:

  • Safe interview space
  • Provision of Blackberries
  • Mobile working
  • Mobile Access (known as CareMobile)
  • Car parking at County Hall

 These have now been answered.


Resources and Publications


Devon Safeguarding Children Board


Devon Safeguarding Children Board (DSCB) newsletter

News and updates on the Early Help roll out in Devon and find out the Early Help Co-ordination Centre staff appointed via the DSCB newsletter.


Could you adopt?
People like you do

click to play Devon Adoption film clip

(click to play YouTube clip)
Devon Adoption monthly events are great way to find out more, call 0345 155 1076. www.devonadoption.org.uk