Herefordshire's child protection services ruled "inadequate" by Ofsted (From Ledbury Reporter)
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Herefordshire's child protection services ruled "inadequate" by Ofsted
10:50am Friday 19th October 2012 in News By Bill Tanner
Herefordshire's child protection services ruled "inadequate" by Ofsted
A highly critical report into child safeguarding in Herefordshire has found all areas of protection procedure are inadequate.
The Ofsted report, published today, reveals the findings of a snap inspection into Herefordshire Council's child safeguarding carried out last month.
At a press conference this morning, Jo Davidson, the council's head of child services has said turnover and "change" amongst social work teams has been an issue relating to the findings.
She said the council will work to a sixth month improvement plan to bring procedures up to standard.
You can read the full report here.
Ofsted has outlined a need to audit all cases closed within the last three months and risk assess all current cases within children's social care services.
The report authors reserve specific criticisms for management, with management oversight "insufficiently focused" on the experience of the child.
They saw a "significant number" of cases where managers made poor decisions in respect of ensuring children were protected from harm.
David McCallum, independent chair of the Herefordshire Safeguarding Children Board, has said the findings were a surprise.
But the board had to take responsibility for not "having a grip" on what was going on day-to-day, he said.
Comments(71)
TwoWheelsGood
says...
12:17pm Fri 19 Oct 12
littlewhitebull
says...
12:39pm Fri 19 Oct 12
Herefs performance was graded as Inadequate - a dismal rating that must surely be of great concern for all of us.
Children's safety and well-being is of paramount importance.
The shedding of experienced staff does not seem to have made a saving of any description. Their wealth of experience could have been used to help and guide the less experienced.
Ubique5740
says...
12:41pm Fri 19 Oct 12
I wonder if HC is using the same company to find a new Chief Executive that "found" the Council Director's that tombadino is writing about?
fmrbill
says...
1:04pm Fri 19 Oct 12
Ubique5740
says...
2:49pm Fri 19 Oct 12
he Committees responsibilities are as follows
The principal roles of the Overview
and Scrutiny Committee are to:
· Help in developing Council policy
· Probe, investigate, test the options and ask the difficult questions before and after decisions are taken
· Look in more detail at areas of concern which may have been raised by the Cabinet itself, by other Councillors or by members of the public
· "call in" decisions - this is a statutory power which gives Scrutiny Committees the right to place a decision on hold pending further scrutiny.
· Review performance of the Council
· Undertake external scrutiny work engaging partners and the public
I hope that this Independent Cllr reads the job description and accepts responsibility for failings.
fmrbill
says...
4:06pm Fri 19 Oct 12
Ubique5740
says...
4:44pm Fri 19 Oct 12
I am sure that they are hanging their heads in shame, hopefully calling emergency meeting to try to ascertain how they got into this disgraceful mess and improve the service to the most vulnerable in the County.
fmrbill
says...
5:12pm Fri 19 Oct 12
bobby47
says...
6:29pm Fri 19 Oct 12
I ain't adding anything other than to say I bloody hate them.
megilleland
says...
6:40pm Fri 19 Oct 12
http://councillors.h
erefordshire.gov.uk/
mgCommitteeDetails.a
spx?ID=567
More than one councillor.
fmrbill
says...
8:10pm Fri 19 Oct 12
bobby47
says...
8:16pm Fri 19 Oct 12
fmrbill
says...
8:23pm Fri 19 Oct 12
The meeting on the Friday 27th April 2012 of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee was noted as " Informal Away Day
Proposed venue: The Falcon Mews, The Falcon Hotel, 4 Broad Street, Bromyard HR7 4BT with surprise surprise "NO DOCUMENTS FOR THIS MEETING" and also it would appear no written minutes for the public to view as to what was discussed at this away day meeting ?????
DISGUSTING hold your heads in shame ALL of you on this committe
fmrbill
says...
8:35pm Fri 19 Oct 12
Any way the ground is under the plough at mo and Plough Sunday will soon be with us and a bit more kneeling down and asking for better seasons next year. !!! for one and all not just my crop ))
bobby47
says...
9:26pm Fri 19 Oct 12
Ubique5740
says...
9:24am Sat 20 Oct 12
fmrbill
says...
12:46pm Sat 20 Oct 12
bobby47
says...
2:27pm Sat 20 Oct 12
How much money did you lot blow at your day out at The Falcon in Bromyard?
You must know we despise you and all you stand for. You'll pay a load of money out for a bloody sign that says, Here We Can. You'll have Mr Jarvis getting photographed pointing at the testacles of this bovine species proclaiming that this is the County of opportunity and when the bloody wheel comes off and it does, over and over again, you crawl away and say nothing.
There is nothing more important than looking out for the vulnerable in our society and you've paid no attention to it at all.
The last time you knackered something up, which was only weeks ago, you blamed the vegetation. How are you lot going to dress this one up?
I aint going to stop untill the person who holds the reigns to this disgraceful outcome resigns and I urge all the other Posters to follow the shout from Fmrbill and Ubique and comment upon this news.
My warmest regards.
VWVWVW
says...
2:45pm Sat 20 Oct 12
bobby47
says...
3:17pm Sat 20 Oct 12
bobby47
says...
7:02pm Sun 21 Oct 12
Spineless cowards. Your in it for money and the glory that comes when you are awarded the title Coucillor.
Hang your heads in shame.
littlewhitebull
says...
7:45pm Sun 21 Oct 12
Herefordshire Council is one of a number of local authorities who have been at the sharp end of increasingly vigorous inspection criteria in recent months."
It should be borne in mind that all local authorities are subjected to the same rigorous standards that were applied to Herefordshire: the safety and well-being of all children in any authorities' domain. I trust that there is no suggestion that our county is being treated any differently to any other local authority.
I sincerely hope that the council will indeed heed the sensible and necessary advice of Ofsted and make improvements very quickly.
Lukio
says...
12:53pm Mon 22 Oct 12
There are two major failings here. The first and most serious is with HC for putting themselves into this situation where frontline services that are there for vulnerable members of society fail. They make cuts in services, not their wages and are either too pig-headed or stupid to realise the effects that this will have.
The second failing is with the scrutiny committee. They have seriously dropped the ball on this one and have a great deal of accountability for the situation. There should be a far reaching investigation as to how this has happened but more importantly, this should be put right as soon **** possible.
It just shows the rot has spread further than we feared. Even the Indys and IOC can't see past their own self importance.
There should be resignations/sacking
s over this but my arse will heal over before any of these councillors show an ounce of humility.
bobby47
says...
1:12pm Mon 22 Oct 12
Would you mind communicating with Mr James and asking him to have a look at it.
If, as I suspect they don't want an idiot like me on their books then it ain't a problem, I won't take offence.
My very warmest regards to you Lukio.
bobby47
says...
6:14pm Mon 22 Oct 12
Thanks everyone.
sutton11
says...
6:32pm Mon 22 Oct 12
It does look like the Cllrs have stuck their head in sand (but then again some of it comes down to what they are told).
The people who should be ashamed about this is the Director of People's and Assistant Director of People's Services Commissioning and Children's for not sorting this out. Also there appear to be so many people doing non-jobs (the person who was in charge of the inspection co-ordination - what sort of job is that, and by the loosk didnt do a very good job).
I know people go on about the pay of the council employee's - this isnt the case for the front line staff and lower levels - they are poorly paid (compared to other authorities and private industry) its the Head of Depts and Assitant Directors who are paid a very high salary - they should be taking pay cuts to help the lowever levels.
I know from personal experience that other agencies have rasied concerns and I think they ahve been swept under the carpet.
I also totally agree - what is the point of the new herefordshire signs - total WASTE of money - spend it elsewhere on more important areas of the council.
bobby47
says...
6:42pm Mon 22 Oct 12
This, as you probably gather. is about 'them'. The ones who are as insignificant as 'chaff in the wind' but are paid a great deal and unfortunately are in charge of delivering this Service.
We want a scalp. A head to display on a pike. A trophy if you like. Or, a simple and straightforward resignation.
My very warmest regards.
Lukio
says...
7:55pm Mon 22 Oct 12
I've posed this before and again I ask my fellow Herefordians, are we really getting value for money from our council? When they cannot even protect frontline services that are supposed to be protecting the vulnerable in our society, are they really acting in our best interests? No, they are most certainly not. But they are quite busy blasting hundreds of thousands on new road signs, finding a new CEO, crawling into bed with questionable developers and making up unelected bodies that spend public funds and selling this county down the river.
littlewhitebull
says...
8:19pm Mon 22 Oct 12
When Action for Children's chief executive, Dame Clare Tickell accused the coalition government of a system of short-term, quick-fix funding in child protection issues, she received a rather curt and dismissive comment from the a government spokesperson.
The reply was: "Local authorities have complete freedom over their budgets to target vulnerable children and families in their areas. As this report shows the most innovative LAs are thinking creatively about how best to use their resources – and making sensible changes - so they can continue to provide much needed services for families in a more efficient way.
"We are increasing funding for early intervention to £2.5bn in 2014-15 and are retaining a national network of Sure Start centres - with 3,330 currently open in the areas where they are needed most. We are also extending free early years education and helping parents with childcare costs whilst they look for jobs."
Does Mr Powell agree with Dame Clare Tickell, or the government?
WYSIATI
says...
8:45pm Tue 23 Oct 12
Personally I don't know enough about what's being done to tell the professionals how it should be changed or improved and who should or should not "fall on their swords". But I do think there are dedicated hard working professionals at every level and do not believe that there are lazy, overpaid indulged staff at any level. I am sure that there are some or many who could and must do better and now steps must be taken to make sure that they and the system improves.
That probably means some people not doing a good enough job will have to do better or go, if anyone's failed children willfully they have to answer for that and should do so - as each examines their own conscience I hope they put the children first and do right by them.
littlewhitebull - I looked at the Ofsted site - and for your information Ofsted have just started applying a new inspection framework and have raised the thresholds - so Herefordshire and the other authorities inspected recently have had different standards applied to them and different to previous inspections. A new system is being introduced and old style inspections ended in July 2012.
hereford68
says...
9:19pm Tue 23 Oct 12
hereford68
says...
9:19pm Tue 23 Oct 12
bobby47
says...
9:35pm Tue 23 Oct 12
Sadly, I ain't. This bunch of incompetent bungling idiots knew changes to inspections were being made and they did nothing to prepare themselves.
This ain't about the hard working front line staff who work hard and do their best dancing to a tune produced by their line managers who are a part of the craziness that has now completely overwhelmed public services.
This is about 'Them at the Top'. The business speak, selfish, Im passionate and driven to deliver idiots that have become so deeply dug into the fabric of our Services.
Me, I want to dig them out, cast them to one side and start again. Putting it simply, I want a Scalp. A head on a Pike. A trophy to display to the frenzied mob. In short, I want a Resignation.
fmrbill
says...
9:36pm Tue 23 Oct 12
But its is good to see a well discussed post on an adult level, and hopefully to show the councillors that we (the electorate)arent stupid can read, and no when something is wrong. I would also ask if HT could put more media pressure on these people in charge to help us get some body to do the decent thing and resign. I would also POSE this question to HT, why dont/cant u take this posts as formal letters and therefore on a serious subject as this publish them. I for one would allow my comments to be published and I hope other posters on here would if they believed in what the wrote.Perhaps HT could write on here explain why(if)they cant do that, and if anyway around it. It needs more publicilty and with publicity more people come on board, as can be seen by the reports of once again vunerable children being taken advantage off by the 60/70s so called DJ whose name I can not bear to write as it make me ILL, as does this report on HC and their attiude to OUR vunerable children grandchildren etc and our future. PLS IN GODs name who ever you are the top man do the decent thing RESIGN, and for gods sake lets us show this is more important to us than toilets,cycling and HUFC in number of posts. MANY THANKS to you all
bobby47
says...
9:55pm Tue 23 Oct 12
WYSIATI
says...
10:17am Wed 24 Oct 12
At every level and in every organisation that contributes to protecting vulnerable children how about more focus on doing the job better, improved practice and encouraging the best people to stay? Help those who need help get better and remove those who are not up to the job they have.
Make no mistake if individuals - from the front line to the chief executive are found to have lied about performance, deliberately or willfully allowed problems that could and should be fixed to go unaddressed they have to go - and should go with humility and shame.
Heads on pikes at the city gates may make you feel better but it won't make children any safer. Good teams led by good managers with proper resources and good support could.
bobby47
says...
10:34am Wed 24 Oct 12
But I'm not going to. I'd happily drag them into High Town before the screaming mob and I'd politely ask the local Constable to Taser them before we tore them apart.
My very warmest regards to you.
dippyhippy
says...
10:38am Wed 24 Oct 12
dippyhippy
says...
10:40am Wed 24 Oct 12
dippyhippy
says...
10:40am Wed 24 Oct 12
littlewhitebull
says...
11:03am Wed 24 Oct 12
WYSIATI wrote:Thanks for the information Wysiati. I did actually realise this having read through all the new reports for each authority as part of some research. My post actually said that Hereford shire have been treated no differently to any other authority since the new regime. If that was not clear - my apologies. Only two authorities have received worse reports than Herefordshire. Some of the reports on the Ofsted site show that some authorities are doing a very good job.
Maybe it goes without saying (as it's not been said) but keeping children safe is everyone's responsibility - starting with parents, families, schools, doctors, health visitors, the police and the local authority.
Personally I don't know enough about what's being done to tell the professionals how it should be changed or improved and who should or should not "fall on their swords". But I do think there are dedicated hard working professionals at every level and do not believe that there are lazy, overpaid indulged staff at any level. I am sure that there are some or many who could and must do better and now steps must be taken to make sure that they and the system improves.
That probably means some people not doing a good enough job will have to do better or go, if anyone's failed children willfully they have to answer for that and should do so - as each examines their own conscience I hope they put the children first and do right by them.
littlewhitebull - I looked at the Ofsted site - and for your information Ofsted have just started applying a new inspection framework and have raised the thresholds - so Herefordshire and the other authorities inspected recently have had different standards applied to them and different to previous inspections. A new system is being introduced and old style inspections ended in July 2012.
I totally agree with you that keeping children safe is the responsibility of everybody. All agencies are responsible - have we seen recently in press reports about abuse.
GDJ
says...
8:59am Thu 25 Oct 12
At least our esteemed council wouldn't be so dim as to appoint someone with that on their c.v. .... oh wait.
And wasn't this the director that the HT reported as being paid nearly £1000k per day last year, before HCC made the appointment permanent?
Obviously money well spent!
Lukio
says...
9:18am Thu 25 Oct 12
After all, the goal here is protection of vulnerable children and the report identifies turnover of staff as a contributory factor to the systemic failings in the duties of HC. Ousting staff now would surely exasperate matters.
What is required though is a far reaching examination by full council as to how this situation has occurred. If there are failings attributable to individuals then they should be the subject of the performance management procedures that I assume HC already have established.
littlewhitebull
says...
11:41am Thu 25 Oct 12
GDJ wrote:GDJ highlighted the case of Eunice Spry from Gloucestershire who, as a foster mother, spent 19 years abusing children in her care. Reading the reports of this woman's appalling behaviour was most disturbing. She was sentenced to 14 years in jail. This was subsequently reduced to 12 years on appeal - much to the 'annoyance' of the police and many others.
Does anyone remember the Eunice Spry debacle in Gloucestershire? I've been trying to remember the name of the Director of Children's Services who had to apologise to the abused children there.
At least our esteemed council wouldn't be so dim as to appoint someone with that on their c.v. .... oh wait.
And wasn't this the director that the HT reported as being paid nearly £1000k per day last year, before HCC made the appointment permanent?
Obviously money well spent!
Jo Davidson, Director of Children and People's Services, made an apology on behalf of the council.
I am aware of two books written by Eunice Spry's victims that should only be read if you are aware that the content is very upsetting. "Deliver Me from Evil" by Alloma Gilbert, and "Child C" by Christopher Spry.
VWVWVW
says...
12:16pm Thu 25 Oct 12
GDJ
says...
12:58pm Thu 25 Oct 12
VWVWVW wrote:Quite.
Unbelievable!
I wonder if any other senior managers in Herefordshire were working in child protection investigations in Gloucestershire during the period of Spry's abuse.
Answers on a postcard please.
Interested Onlooker
says...
2:08pm Thu 25 Oct 12
bobby47
says...
2:44pm Thu 25 Oct 12
We are all hurt and angry about this report that suggests the vulnerable in our society have been let down.
I've read all the postings and I understood each and every one of the posts.
I ain't interested whether they are or are not grammatically correct.
Yours is the only Post that I can't grasp.
Interested Onlooker
says...
3:29pm Thu 25 Oct 12
Knot evvry1 kn unstand sumfinks wot am put on ther web coz they'm not very cleerand if they wos putt strate into ther paper it woodent look like the papur kud spell rather than it knot being people wot r being clear in wot their saying which izznt wot noozpapers do they try to use proper english that every1 gets str8 away if they can read english after orl woodent eny1 wont kids to right properly and if peopul karnt follow a newsppr article then its good for know 1 as its a waste of time paying good munny 4 it
I do hope that's clearer now.
littlewhitebull
says...
3:29pm Thu 25 Oct 12
These 'postings' are of a more immediate nature and give 'posters' the chance to exchange views quickly; often with imaginative alternatives, and indeed, corrections to statements made.
Such is the 'quick' nature of responses, that errors do occur - just as they do in Tweets and other blogs.
I believe Bobby47 is quite right to highlight the fact that the vast majority of 'postings' are readily understood.
However, you are most welcome to voice any opinion you may have. I look forward to reading more of your observations.
fmrbill
says...
3:34pm Thu 25 Oct 12
Ubique5740
says...
3:40pm Thu 25 Oct 12
bobby47 wrote:Bobby47 and Fmrbill I agree entirely with your comments relating to Interested Onlooker.
Interested Onlooker, I ain't sure what your point is.
We are all hurt and angry about this report that suggests the vulnerable in our society have been let down.
I've read all the postings and I understood each and every one of the posts.
I ain't interested whether they are or are not grammatically correct.
Yours is the only Post that I can't grasp.
Interested Onlooker
says...
4:07pm Thu 25 Oct 12
"Fmr bill" asked a very specific question about why website comments are not re-published directly in the newspaper, to which I gave a direct opinion based on my observations of the Hereford Times, other newspapers and the differences between letters intended for print publication and the immediate to-and-fro of uncorrected web postings.
Would "Fmrbill", who has not yet purchased this week's newspaper, bother spending the 80p if what was printed within it was not legible and understandable?
The HT makes it clear, and I quote, "all letters must include a full name and address" (page 32 today) and I cannot remember the last time I saw a letter in that paper without a name attached.
I fully grasp, mainly owing to the sheer volume of comments on this story, the degree to which people are unhappy about the state of the council's social care provision. I was not answering those points but a specific query about comments appearing in print. If other posters cannot understand the difference, then I am afraid that's their look-out.
fmrbill
says...
4:41pm Thu 25 Oct 12
Lukio
says...
5:46pm Thu 25 Oct 12
We do know they read what we put (remember they have very big egos to keep inflated) and sometime comment in a futile attempt to defend their latest ludicrous policy or 'blue sky thinking' idea. Only this week has Cllr. Powell posted about his little idea of everyone cycling into town. Several of us gave him a rough ride about the Ofsted report, he got defensive, wouldn't answer our questions and then scurried off from whence he came never to be heard from again.
So we know they'll come on here and talk about, in relative terms, pointless things but when challenged on important issues they'll do the usual and ignore us.
I'm afraid fmrbill that you'd have more chance of ploughing up Noah's Ark in one of your fields than getting a Cllr. on here to talk about real issues.
fmrbill
says...
5:56pm Thu 25 Oct 12
littlewhitebull
says...
6:27pm Thu 25 Oct 12
1. Challenge everything: We need to question everything we do, why and how we do it, can others do it better and how can residents be more self-reliant.
2. Think differently: We need to radically think about how services are delivered, different models of delivery and how we use resources across the county.
3. Focus on outcomes: We need to consider the benefit services offer to residents / communities and the outcomes for the future.
4. Evidence based solutions: The decisions made around resources will be evidence based on what works and provides the greatest value to the public.
5. Engage and involve: We will clearly demonstrate engagement with communities, service users, employees, councillors and partner organisations.
The council is now on Phase 2: October 2012 - March 2013
The Subject is: Children and Young People in Herefordshire.
Very timely.
GDJ
says...
10:27pm Thu 25 Oct 12
littlewhitebull wrote:The trouble is that turkeys don't vote for Christmas.
Herefordshire County Council is undertaking a series of "Root and Branch Reviews" with five key principles underpinning the reviews:
1. Challenge everything: We need to question everything we do, why and how we do it, can others do it better and how can residents be more self-reliant.
2. Think differently: We need to radically think about how services are delivered, different models of delivery and how we use resources across the county.
3. Focus on outcomes: We need to consider the benefit services offer to residents / communities and the outcomes for the future.
4. Evidence based solutions: The decisions made around resources will be evidence based on what works and provides the greatest value to the public.
5. Engage and involve: We will clearly demonstrate engagement with communities, service users, employees, councillors and partner organisations.
The council is now on Phase 2: October 2012 - March 2013
The Subject is: Children and Young People in Herefordshire.
Very timely.
The Director and Assistant Director are not going to challenge what they themselves do, or admit that they have any responsibility for the state of Children's services and safeguarding. While they are in charge of this `root and branch' review, the one conclusion that will not be reached is that they are at all at fault.
The director has already overseen one botched restructuring in Herefordshire. What is needed is a truly independent and knowledgeable troubleshooter appointed by the Council or government, not by the senior managers responsible for the mess.
bobby47
says...
8:10am Fri 26 Oct 12
littlewhitebull
says...
11:03am Fri 26 Oct 12
GDJ wrote:GDJ - I agree with you. I included the reference to the Phase 2 review on children's services as I thought it was timely, yet ironic.
littlewhitebull wrote:The trouble is that turkeys don't vote for Christmas.
Herefordshire County Council is undertaking a series of "Root and Branch Reviews" with five key principles underpinning the reviews:
1. Challenge everything: We need to question everything we do, why and how we do it, can others do it better and how can residents be more self-reliant.
2. Think differently: We need to radically think about how services are delivered, different models of delivery and how we use resources across the county.
3. Focus on outcomes: We need to consider the benefit services offer to residents / communities and the outcomes for the future.
4. Evidence based solutions: The decisions made around resources will be evidence based on what works and provides the greatest value to the public.
5. Engage and involve: We will clearly demonstrate engagement with communities, service users, employees, councillors and partner organisations.
The council is now on Phase 2: October 2012 - March 2013
The Subject is: Children and Young People in Herefordshire.
Very timely.
The Director and Assistant Director are not going to challenge what they themselves do, or admit that they have any responsibility for the state of Children's services and safeguarding. While they are in charge of this `root and branch' review, the one conclusion that will not be reached is that they are at all at fault.
The director has already overseen one botched restructuring in Herefordshire. What is needed is a truly independent and knowledgeable troubleshooter appointed by the Council or government, not by the senior managers responsible for the mess.
I'm sure we are all eager for the awaited response from the council.
Do you know if an independent troubleshooter can be appointed at this stage, or is it a case that must be addressed internally, before Ofsted examine again? I have looked on the Oftsed website, but can't find the answer.
GDJ
says...
11:30am Fri 26 Oct 12
littlewhitebull wrote:littlewhitebull,
GDJ wrote:GDJ - I agree with you. I included the reference to the Phase 2 review on children's services as I thought it was timely, yet ironic.
littlewhitebull wrote:The trouble is that turkeys don't vote for Christmas.
Herefordshire County Council is undertaking a series of "Root and Branch Reviews" with five key principles underpinning the reviews:
1. Challenge everything: We need to question everything we do, why and how we do it, can others do it better and how can residents be more self-reliant.
2. Think differently: We need to radically think about how services are delivered, different models of delivery and how we use resources across the county.
3. Focus on outcomes: We need to consider the benefit services offer to residents / communities and the outcomes for the future.
4. Evidence based solutions: The decisions made around resources will be evidence based on what works and provides the greatest value to the public.
5. Engage and involve: We will clearly demonstrate engagement with communities, service users, employees, councillors and partner organisations.
The council is now on Phase 2: October 2012 - March 2013
The Subject is: Children and Young People in Herefordshire.
Very timely.
The Director and Assistant Director are not going to challenge what they themselves do, or admit that they have any responsibility for the state of Children's services and safeguarding. While they are in charge of this `root and branch' review, the one conclusion that will not be reached is that they are at all at fault.
The director has already overseen one botched restructuring in Herefordshire. What is needed is a truly independent and knowledgeable troubleshooter appointed by the Council or government, not by the senior managers responsible for the mess.
I'm sure we are all eager for the awaited response from the council.
Do you know if an independent troubleshooter can be appointed at this stage, or is it a case that must be addressed internally, before Ofsted examine again? I have looked on the Oftsed website, but can't find the answer.
Thank you for your comments. I think the `nuclear option', which has happened in at least one other authority (Kingston) is for the department to go into special measures or its responsibilities to be taken off the council all together.
As an aside. If you look at the `What do they know' website - Herefordshire part - you will find responses to FoI requests that reveal a huge amount was being spent (2010-11) on agency social workers and another revealing a complete failure to recruit permanent social workers. Perhaps the HT could do a bit of real journalism and starting asking these kinds of detailed questions.
We are told we have to pay high salaries to get high quality managers - but we seem to have one without the other.
littlewhitebull
says...
3:04pm Fri 26 Oct 12
GDJ wrote:GDJ - thanks for the information. I will have a good look at the HCC website, as you suggest.
littlewhitebull wrote:littlewhitebull,
GDJ wrote:GDJ - I agree with you. I included the reference to the Phase 2 review on children's services as I thought it was timely, yet ironic.
littlewhitebull wrote:The trouble is that turkeys don't vote for Christmas.
Herefordshire County Council is undertaking a series of "Root and Branch Reviews" with five key principles underpinning the reviews:
1. Challenge everything: We need to question everything we do, why and how we do it, can others do it better and how can residents be more self-reliant.
2. Think differently: We need to radically think about how services are delivered, different models of delivery and how we use resources across the county.
3. Focus on outcomes: We need to consider the benefit services offer to residents / communities and the outcomes for the future.
4. Evidence based solutions: The decisions made around resources will be evidence based on what works and provides the greatest value to the public.
5. Engage and involve: We will clearly demonstrate engagement with communities, service users, employees, councillors and partner organisations.
The council is now on Phase 2: October 2012 - March 2013
The Subject is: Children and Young People in Herefordshire.
Very timely.
The Director and Assistant Director are not going to challenge what they themselves do, or admit that they have any responsibility for the state of Children's services and safeguarding. While they are in charge of this `root and branch' review, the one conclusion that will not be reached is that they are at all at fault.
The director has already overseen one botched restructuring in Herefordshire. What is needed is a truly independent and knowledgeable troubleshooter appointed by the Council or government, not by the senior managers responsible for the mess.
I'm sure we are all eager for the awaited response from the council.
Do you know if an independent troubleshooter can be appointed at this stage, or is it a case that must be addressed internally, before Ofsted examine again? I have looked on the Oftsed website, but can't find the answer.
Thank you for your comments. I think the `nuclear option', which has happened in at least one other authority (Kingston) is for the department to go into special measures or its responsibilities to be taken off the council all together.
As an aside. If you look at the `What do they know' website - Herefordshire part - you will find responses to FoI requests that reveal a huge amount was being spent (2010-11) on agency social workers and another revealing a complete failure to recruit permanent social workers. Perhaps the HT could do a bit of real journalism and starting asking these kinds of detailed questions.
We are told we have to pay high salaries to get high quality managers - but we seem to have one without the other.
Colin J Marschall
says...
1:05am Sat 27 Oct 12
I would suggest that if information is required that it is applied for under the FOI act (such as the cost of the "jolly" they had), it is also breaking the code of conduct for Councillors to have official meetings without providing minutes to that meeting, so either the "jolly" was not an official meeting and was a money wasting exercise or it was illegal.
I am now going to run the risk of getting myself banned here - HT will never run a story that could bring the council under serious questions, just read Jim Miller's blog - http://anexpensesacc
ount.blogspot.co.uk/ where he publishes emails received from a "mole" within the HT head office . .enlightening doesn't even come close.
WYSIATI
says...
1:13pm Sat 27 Oct 12
Those on the inside at every level have their work cut out and owe it to vulnerable children to contribute to making it better and that's not best done through the comments on the website but by professionals with the skills and knowledge to do it.
Para 46 - "The council has made significant investments in workforce planning over a number of years and the support given to newly qualified social workers (NQSW’s) and training opportunities to other key staff including first line managers is valued and positive. The impact of these initiatives has been to reduce the reliance on agency social workers, to create career development opportunities and to address staff retention issues."
Para 43 - "There is clear evidence of strategic vision and significant activity is taking place to identify and address deficits."
Para 42 - "A restructuring of the council in 2011 led to a significant reduction in senior management; it is recognised that senior management capacity within children’s social care is not sufficient."
Para 41 - "Leadership and governance arrangements are inadequate. There has been insufficient impact on the quality of child protection services despite improvement in a number of areas."
Para 39 - "Social work staff report being well supported by managers"
Para 38 - "The regularity of management oversight has improved since the Safeguarding and Looked After inspection in October 2010."
Para 35 - "The council has recognised that the children with disabilities team needed to improve its service, with respect to increasing capacity and improving safeguarding practice."
Para 20 - "Systems to identify and support children and young people and families who need early help are improving. Early help and intervention for young children are increasingly timely and focused well on the needs of individuals."
Para 14 - "Senior managers demonstrate an increasing understanding of the needs of children and their families in Herefordshire, mostly notably in locality working and action is being taken to match services to need. Senior managers and elected members have prioritised early help and child protection services, which is demonstrated, for example, by an increase in resources. A clear strategic vision is in place and significant activity is taking place to identify and address deficits. The council and its partners have achieved significant improvements in the provision and coordination of early help services."
GDJ
says...
9:02am Sun 28 Oct 12
Colin J Marschall wrote:The cuts to front line youth services are shocking.
I wonder if this report will make HC reconsider their proposed 80% cut in youth services around Herefordshire.
I would suggest that if information is required that it is applied for under the FOI act (such as the cost of the "jolly" they had), it is also breaking the code of conduct for Councillors to have official meetings without providing minutes to that meeting, so either the "jolly" was not an official meeting and was a money wasting exercise or it was illegal.
I am now going to run the risk of getting myself banned here - HT will never run a story that could bring the council under serious questions, just read Jim Miller's blog - http://anexpensesacc
ount.blogspot.co.uk/ where he publishes emails received from a "mole" within the HT head office . .enlightening doesn't even come close.
I wonder if the manager deciding these cuts is another member of the ex-Gloucestershire clique at the top of children's services..
littlewhitebull
says...
11:23am Sun 28 Oct 12
GDJ wrote:Colin J Marschall suggestion to read the blogs by Jim Miller is very good. Well worth a read, in my opinion. Thanks, Colin.
Colin J Marschall wrote:The cuts to front line youth services are shocking.
I wonder if this report will make HC reconsider their proposed 80% cut in youth services around Herefordshire.
I would suggest that if information is required that it is applied for under the FOI act (such as the cost of the "jolly" they had), it is also breaking the code of conduct for Councillors to have official meetings without providing minutes to that meeting, so either the "jolly" was not an official meeting and was a money wasting exercise or it was illegal.
I am now going to run the risk of getting myself banned here - HT will never run a story that could bring the council under serious questions, just read Jim Miller's blog - http://anexpensesacc
ount.blogspot.co.uk/ where he publishes emails received from a "mole" within the HT head office . .enlightening doesn't even come close.
I wonder if the manager deciding these cuts is another member of the ex-Gloucestershire clique at the top of children's services..
hccoms
says...
4:20pm Thu 1 Nov 12
hereford68 wrote:Please, if anyone has concerns about the welfare or safety of a child, contact the council's family assessment and safeguarding team on 01432 261628.
I wrote to the hereford times about my concerns of a little girl who has gone back to her mother because the mother is now deemed "adequate" Never mind the fact that 5 of her other children are either in foster care or have been adopted. The mother is from a family of child abusers but this doesn't seem to matter to the social services. When are these people going to wake up to the fact that you can not "play" with childrens lives just so that they can give parents another go when they forfeited their right when they have had previous children taken off them
Ubique5740
says...
4:32pm Thu 1 Nov 12
WYSIATI
says...
7:03am Sat 3 Nov 12
Cuts to youth services are severe in Herefordshire and pretty well everywhere else. The Govt has cut the money available and the elected council makes decisions about what to cut in response. The Govt has decided that many of the services that used to be provided by Councils are no longer needed.
If we don't like that we need to tell the Councillors and the Govt - the former can make different choices about what to spend less money on (or raise it elsewhere - parking perhaps) and the Govt set the policy.
As I understand it this Govt has cut back many of the provisions for early years and early intervention - one thing that the last lot put money into. Personally I think if we neglect the young we have a long time to regret it.
GDJ
says...
10:03am Sat 3 Nov 12
WYSIATI wrote:I agree re Youth Services, but for Early Years and Early intervention it is less clear. The govt included the surestart grant in a new block of money called the Early Intervention Grant. It was intended that the surestart amount was not cut - ie there was no need to cut early years services, however it was not ringfenced so the council could make the decision itself to use the money for other things. The council removed people like the children's centre managers but kept higher paid people working in areas like school support despite lots of those schools becoming academies and becoming separate from the council. When grants aren't ring fenced they become the subject of internal battles and the loudest voices win.
GDJ, Littlewhitebull
Cuts to youth services are severe in Herefordshire and pretty well everywhere else. The Govt has cut the money available and the elected council makes decisions about what to cut in response. The Govt has decided that many of the services that used to be provided by Councils are no longer needed.
If we don't like that we need to tell the Councillors and the Govt - the former can make different choices about what to spend less money on (or raise it elsewhere - parking perhaps) and the Govt set the policy.
As I understand it this Govt has cut back many of the provisions for early years and early intervention - one thing that the last lot put money into. Personally I think if we neglect the young we have a long time to regret it.
Your last sentence is absolutely spot on.
tombadino says...
11:53am Fri 19 Oct 12