Wiltshire vulnerable children report gives recommendations

A total of 41 ways to improve the care of vulnerable children have been included in a council report.

Last year, Ofsted inspectors criticised Wiltshire Council, the NHS and police, saying their monitoring of the safety of children at risk was inadequate.

Despite council assurances, an urgent improvement notice was issued several months later by the government.

Next week recommendations will be given including employing a full-time advisor and writing clearer reference guides.

Extra investment

A 55-page report has been written by the Safeguarding Children and Young People Task Group which was established following the Ofsted inspection in March last year.

Among its recommendations is the creation of a safeguarding peer liaison post to give advice and guidance to professionals around Wiltshire.

Also included are ways to improve communication between agencies, simpler reference guides, and, where appropriate, making better use of youth workers who refer children to the social care team.

The full report will be presented to the council’s cabinet on Tuesday.

In this year’s budget Wiltshire Council decided to invest an extra £2.97m in children’s services.

It has reported a significant increase in the number of child assessments being carried out by social services, from 2,544 in 2011/12 to 4,153 in 2012/13.