Council suspends staff after review of children's services

A report published today (2 February) highlights areas of concern in the council’s initial response teams, family support and child protection teams and the council’s systems for recording information.

Last October the council commissioned consultants Pricewaterhouse Coopers to undertake a review of the authority’s children’s social care services after raising concerns about standards of care being offered to children and families.

The investigation highlighted problems including communication and timescales for initial assessment in the initial response teams, often the first point of contact for children and families.

Staff morale was also seen to be low in the child protection team with the added problems of a slow Integrated Children’s System, a backlog of admin and a lack of structured supervision.

Calderdale’s director of children and young people’s services Janet Donaldson said: "The practice of some members of staff is of concern and as a result people have been suspended. The decision has been taken in order to facilitate a full and thorough review of management practice.

"The report highlights we are not doing well enough and we have already taken swift action to tackle the areas of concern and will continue to drive forward improvement."

Some of the measures already taken include introducing a single initial response team so that there is just one point of contact for children and families needing help.

An improvement board has been appointed, chaired by the council’s chief executive, and an in-depth review of the management and organisation of the service has begun.

Lead member for children and young people Craig Whittaker said: "This report is about the council being honest with itself and rooting out those areas where improvement needs to be made.

"Where there are concerns, they must be addressed. In an area as important as children's social care services, that needs to happen sooner rather than later."