Shake-up in social services at council (From Ledbury Reporter)

Shake-up in social services at council

5:00pm Monday 29th October 2012 in Ledbury

TWENTY-FIVE new social workers will be recruited by Worcestershire County Council as part of the biggest ever shake-up of children’s services.

Five senior managers are being axed and the overall number of social workers will be increased 20 per cent to around 150.

The huge investment comes two years after safeguarding children’s services in Worcestershire were lambasted by Ofsted inspectors and deemed to be failing.

It also follows the infamous Baby P case, which caused a root-and-branch national review into the way children at risk of harm are protected.

The shake-up, which has been labelled “transformational” by the county council, also includes:

􀁥 £48,000 being spent on two ‘emotional behavioural difficulties’ units where youngsters get intensive help to overcome their problems.

􀁥 £21,000 splashed out on providing four extra foster care placements with Worcestershire families.

􀁥 £106,000 on beefing up the outreach service, where expert staff go into homes to help vulnerable families.

As part of the massive overhaul, a new IT system will be established which aims to speed everything up.

The changes, which are partly being implemented to prevent more children going into expensive care homes run by outside agencies, will be put in place next year.