Inspectors find services for children and young people in Edinburgh performing well

Inspectors have identified key strengths in the way children and young people in need of care and protection are supported in Edinburgh.

In a report published today, the Care Inspectorate looked at how staff across a range of services collaborate across the Edinburgh community planning partnership, including social work, health and education staff, police officers, and children’s reporters.

Key findings include:

• The partnership was recognising and responding well when children and young people are at immediate risk of significant harm.
• A range of services were helping children, young people and families to build on their strengths which were having a positive impact on wellbeing.
• More children are now being looked after in the community as a result of planned initiatives to strengthen kinship care and keep children at home.
• Multi-disciplinary aftercare services were successfully providing support to young care experienced people and promoting their independence.

However, inspectors also noted some priority areas for improvement. They said that while children and young people had opportunities to share their views, the partnership was aware they had yet to fully utilise the information they were gaining through these activities.

Peter Macleod, chief executive of the Care Inspectorate said: “The Care Inspectorate and its scrutiny partners are confident that the partnership has the capacity to continue to improve and to address the points highlighted in this report.

“Staff are competent, confident and clear in their understanding about the expectations of their roles with children in need of care and protection.
Supported by collaborative leaders and a positive approach to learning and development, they can further build on the good practice we have seen.

“The self-evaluation submitted by the partnership as part of this inspection demonstrated its knowledge of areas for improvement and reflected a collaborative response that included staff at all levels.

“The initial response-to-concern element of the interagency referral discussion process was robust. Services are responsive to the needs of children and young people and there is a willingness to try new approaches and look for solutions.

“However, while we are confident the partnership has the capacity to continue to improve, to do this they will need to evaluate the impact of services. Using data, feedback and lessons from quality assurance activity in a more joined-up way will help the partnership know consistently what is making a difference and what needs to change.”

The report is available here: http://bit.ly/edinburgh-servicesforcyp

Picture (c) Jane Barlow / PA Wire.