Report recognises commitment to keeping children safe

“Safeguarding and child protection are given the highest priority” by Shropshire Council and its partners, a new report has recognised. 

Ofsted (the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills) recently carried out an unannounced inspection to look at how the council and other organisations help keep children and young people safe. 

The report, published today (Tuesday 8 January 2013) said:

“The council and partners are working together to ensure that appropriate action is being taken to identify and protect children and young people from significant harm. Safeguarding awareness within the council and partners is strong, leading to appropriate action to protect children and families where there are significant concerns.” 

Inspectors found there were no cases where children and young people were felt to be at immediate risk. 

They praised the way “targeted support, including parenting programmes, is resulting in positive change”, adding that systems are in place within the council and partners to ensure that when children and young people at risk of harm are identified, “steps are taken to respond quickly to their needs”. 

The council is among seven councils which have been given a rating of adequate in the last 13 inspections of arrangements for the protection of children across the country.  Five inadequate and one good rating have also been awarded. 

Particular strengths highlighted by inspectors included: 

• “Priority is being given to ensure the wishes and feelings of children and young people are captured in all aspects of work.”
• “Processes for dealing with child sexual exploitation and children who go missing are well established.”
• “Social workers use a range of techniques to work directly and effectively with children and young people to seek their views and understand their experiences.”
• “Staff working with children and young people in Shropshire are finding ways to help and support families at early stages.”
• “Senior managers in Shropshire children’s services and in other agencies, such as the police and health, are alert to the needs of children and young people and keep safeguarding at the top of their thinking.”  They provide “effective and insightful leadership”.
• There is “strong commitment” to, and good examples of, “effective joint working”.
• “Children, young people and their families reported that they feel services have been supportive and helpful in bringing about change.”
• A “stable and well-motivated” workforce has been established. “Staff indicate they feel well supported and have good access to training and staff development opportunities.”
• “Good attention is given to the needs of children and young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.” 

The report also recommended areas for improvement, including setting out plans and decisions in clearer ways, ensuring due regard is taken of previous history and making sure everyone is clear about what is expected of them.  It proposed that children and young people play a more active role in the priorities of Shropshire’s Safeguarding Children Board, which brings together organisations that work with children and young people to keep them safe from harm. 

Ann Hartley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for health and well-being, said:

“Partners are working hard together to continually improve services for children and young people. The inspectors praised many aspects of these services, recognising the strong commitment to keeping children safe and ensuring they are well cared for. 

“The areas of development are areas that have already been identified and good progress is being made.  We will learn from the positives in the report, and the areas where we know we can do more to further strengthen the work taking place.” 

To read the report in full click here.