OFSTED approves SBC’s child referral and assessment service

All child safeguarding services run by local authorities are liable to unannounced inspections as a result of new measures introduced following the Baby P tragedy.

Southend's Safeguarding Children Services were subjected to a two-day inspection on May 24 and May 25.

Inspectors noted:  

• staff morale is high and is accompanied by a strong commitment at all levels to continually improve the duty and assessment service
• the improved recruitment of permanent social workers has led to good stability and has reduced pressures on front line staff
• a substantial and appropriate range of performance management information is collected and used to support operational management and development of the duty and assessment service and
• the local authority and Local Safeguarding Children Board actively promote a well regarded range of effective training and development opportunities, which include lessons from serious case reviews

Inspectors also praised the Council's Safeguarding Children Services for "effective systems to process incoming work with good managerial oversight" and having no unallocated cases.

They said children and young people were seen throughout the course of their assessments and noted that their wishes and feelings were taken into account and recorded.

Families were deemed to be appropriately involved in assessment and care planning with their ethnic, cultural and disability needs appropriately identified.

The child safeguarding teams were also praised for good partnership working by inspectors, who found a well established and common assessment framework being used to provide effective support to vulnerable families.

Arrangements for identifying and responding to children with complex disability needs were also praised as "effective" and the out of hours service as "well co-ordinated" with day time services.

Councillor Roger Hadley, Executive Councillor for Children and Learning, said: "We are very pleased with the results of the inspection.

"The OFSTED inspectors identified a number of strengths and found no areas where priority action was deemed necessary.

"They did outline a few areas where they felt the Council could develop its Safeguarding Children Services and these will obviously be taken on board.

"We will not be complacent and will continue to be vigilant but it is extremely satisfying to know that we have been given OFSTED's seal of approval."