New referral unit for Cornwall child social care cases

A new unit has been set up in Cornwall to handle referrals to social care staff in cases involving children and young people, the council has said.

Calls from care professionals and organisations such as the police, health officials and schools went through a general council phone number.

The new unit, at Truro’s Old County Hall, has its own dedicated number.

It would create a more efficient process for dealing with calls and minimise delays, the council said.

In its October 2009 report Ofsted said children and young people in care were not properly safeguarded.

Inspectors identified a range of failures in care planning, risk assessment and visits by social workers. The department’s leadership was also singled out for criticism.

The council said that significant progress had been made since then.