Perth and Kinross gains “outstanding” results for child protection

Child protection services in the Perth and Kinross area are outstanding and are the best in Scotland, according to the latest Care Inspectorate report published today.

Joint services to protect children and young people are provided by Perth & Kinross Council, NHS Tayside, Tayside Police and many voluntary organisations. The Care Inspectorate has reported exceptional and ground breaking partnership working.

The Report highlights six particular strengths as:

* The leadership and direction provided to staff is exceptional
* Exceptionally high quality and trusting relationships with staff
* Children and families are benefitting from an outstanding level of individual support at an early stage and for as long as it is needed
* The high quality support available, particularly in evenings and at weekends
* Very positive improvements in the lives of children in need of protection
* A strong culture and ethos of improving outcomes through integrated services and partnership work at all levels

Examples of good practice in the Perth and Kinross area include helping children affected by parental substance misuse, supporting young people to move to adulthood, develop confidence and to be more resilient, providing advice to young people on improving their health and wellbeing, and helping children to recover from the effects of abuse or neglect.

Perth & Kinross Council Leader, Councillor Ian Miller said: “It is excellent to have received such an exceptional report from the Inspectors which recognises all the hard and dedicated work which goes on daily here in Perth and Kinross.

“The important thing for everyone to remember is that we all have a responsibility to make sure children are “all right”.  We and our partners will continue to do the very best we can to protect our young people. Of course we must never be complacent.  We must continue to ensure that everyone is focussed on and fully aware of their responsibilities.”

Minister for Children and Young People, Angela Constance said: “I’d like to congratulate Perth & Kinross Council on what is a hugely encouraging report. It’s essential that children get the best start in life and for that to happen they and their families often require support of the calibre clearly provided across Perth and Kinross.

“The care and safety of our youngsters is paramount and it’s clear from the Care Inspectorate report that this is something which everyone involved in child protection across the region is delivering through their ongoing sterling work and commitment.”

Perth & Kinross Council’s Chief Executive Bernadette Malone said: “There are some 32,000 children in our area and their protection is what we think about in everything we do, as a Council and when we deliver services in partnership with the Police, Health Services, the Children’s Reporter and our voluntary organisations. We are delighted that Care Inspectors are extremely confident that children and young people across our area are cared for, protected and have their needs met.

“To have been awarded excellent ratings, is a credit to the highly professional staff and the way they work together, right across the public services in our area.”

Roddy Ross, Chief Superintendent in charge of policing in Perth and Kinross said: “The way of working by all those in the public and voluntary organisations who are involved in protecting children in the Perth and Kinross area has rightly been singled out as exceptional by the Inspectors. The focus on child protection is always at the forefront in our day to day work and it’s the same with all our partners.” 

Gerry Marr, Chief Executive of NHS Tayside said: “ Protecting children is the most important service we can provide and staff and volunteers here in Perth and Kinross area demonstrate their commitment and dedication to that task every day.

“However we can never be complacent and we will keep striving to ensure that, in partnership, we continue to make the difference for our more vulnerable children.”

Karen Anderson, the Care Inspectorate’s director of operations, said: “There is nothing more important than protecting the most vulnerable children in our society by ensuring their safety and well-being.
 
“Although no-one, including the Care Inspectorate, can provide an absolute guarantee that all children will be protected from significant harm all of the time, it is vital to ensure that services work together as effectively as possible to reduce risks and improve the lives of vulnerable children and their families.

“This report published today is primarily aimed at letting people in Perth & Kinross know just how well services in their area are working together to protect children and meet their needs. We are very pleased to recognise the outstanding work that is being done in Perth & Kinross and the extremely strong and ambitious vision for child protection held by Chief Officers and senior managers. However, there is no room for complacency and we are pleased that services are committed to continuous improvement and we look forward to working with them to support this vision.”

Inspectors highlighted three projects as excellent examples of child protection:

Bounce Back

Bounce Back is a school based programme aimed at building children and young people’s resilience by directly teaching them personal coping skills and creating environments which help them to develop a sense of well being. Bounce Back was first introduced into Primary Schools in 2008.

The Child Protection Inspection found that the programme had a very positive impact on children’s personal resilience and on their relationships. The Inspectors reported that the children said they were now more aware of how to control their feelings and thought their classrooms were kinder and happier places.

Feedback from children and young people about the Bounce Back Programme:

“It stops fights in the playground”
“It helps us solve problems together”
“Rather than ask a teacher we now have the skills to solve problems ourselves”
“It helped me bounce back when I fell out with my friend”   

@Scott Street
 
@Scott Street is a one stop shop which offers a wide range of services, facilities, advice and information for vulnerable young people mainly aged between 16 – 25 years. Designed and named by young people themselves, the town centre premises opened in April 2010. Services and facilities include a café; washing and laundry facilities for young people in homeless accommodation; private meeting rooms; career and job seeking advice and support; health information and advice sessions; and parenting help and advice for teenage mothers.
The Perth and Kinross area Youth Council is based @ Scott Street and co-ordinated the area’s involvement in the Children’s Commissioner’s “A Right Blether” with the highest national percentage of children participating across Scotland.

Feedback from young people about @Scott Street:
“It’s great having all my support in one place, that’s in the middle of town”
“It’s a safe and comfortable place to be”
“Atmosphere is great and makes it easy to come and talk”
“It is very noticeable and everyone knows it’s here”
“Always someone to talk to and staff are always friendly”

Change is a Must

Change is a Must is delivered through collaboration between children’s services, health services, drug and alcohol services and Barnardos Hopscotch. Based at Almondbank House in Perth, the project provides intensive support, advice and practical help for families affected by substance misuse. Change is a Must focuses on helping vulnerable babies and children up to eight years of age.

A young mum commented: “Change is a Must has made a big difference to me and my son. I wake up every day and look at my house and my bairn and think “I’ve done it” but Change is a Must did it with me. It has helped me with support and housing.  I can be the Mum for my son that I couldn’t be for my other two kids.
I’ve shown my family that their daughter is changing, their daughter has done it – being off heroin and giving my kids the life they need – knowing I’m being a Mum again.”