Review chair Josh MacAlister launched the consultation in January to canvass views on who the review team should be talking to, questions to ask and how best to engage with children and families.
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Based on responses received so far MacAlister has pledged to engage with professionals and charities to effectively gather the views of children and families.
So far Family Rights Group, Kinship and Siblings Together are among groups the review team has already begun speaking to for advice on gathering young people’s views. This is set to involve a range of surveys, including some available online.
Good to see included “Why do disabled children come to be looked after?...Our experience is that there is a ‘journey’ towards looked after that generally arises from needs not being recognised and met early enough...” & family trauma from fighting for help across complex systems
— Mary Busk (@marybusk) April 2, 2021
MacAlister's consulation, referred to as a "call for advice", has also helped shape the questions the review plans to seek views on.
This includes asking "why is it so difficult to improve the (children’s social care) system?"
“Many of you shared inspiring stories and thoughtful suggestions of ways we could improve the system,” MacAlister wrote in a blog post on the review’s scope.
“However, many of you expressed deep frustration at a lack of change despite past identification of systemic problems.”
Other issues that will be explored include looking at why some groups of children are more likely to enter care than others. This includes young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Commenting on social media, parent carer Mary Busk welcomed this focus on children with disabilities, highlighting the challenges that young people and families face gaining access to support.
Good to see included “Why do disabled children come to be looked after?...Our experience is that there is a ‘journey’ towards looked after that generally arises from needs not being recognised and met early enough...” & family trauma from fighting for help across complex systems
— Mary Busk (@marybusk) April 2, 2021
The review will also look at ways of improving tailored support that takes into account the “wider impacts of trauma, including mental health”.
More than 800 people have responded to the consultation so far, half of whom are social workers and those with experience of care. Carers, charities, education and health professionals as well as researchers are among others to respond.
MacAlister has also welcomed the raft of academic and research papers and reports recommended to him for the review.
Among examples he cites are the University of Central Lancashire’s online resources around adverse childhood experiences.
Last month, concerns were raised over the scope of the review after it emerged that no additional funding for implementing its recommendations had been pledged.
Earlier this week, the National Association of Independent Reviewing Officers (NAIRO) called on the care review to consider removing the role of IROs from council control.
