Ten-month probe into child care services begins

Just how well Jersey looks after its young people in care is being looked in a ten-month independent inspection.

The Social Work Inspection Agency has been called in and will begin its task with a series of talks for social workers.

Currently 80 children are beeing cared for by the States because their birth parents are unable to. Most of the children are with foster parents or are living with other family members or friends. Some are in residential homes.

The agency will inspect social workers and the social care services and will also look at other services like education, health and probation. The inspection is the first of its kind in Jersey and the results will be used to judge what improvements are made in future.

The inspection will use a variety of methods to judge how well children and young peoples needs are being met, including talking to children and young people for their views; surveys and interviews with foster carers and staff; self-evaluation by service providers; an examination of records and processes and visits to sites and facilities.

Deputy Anne Pryke, head of the Childrens Policy Group says that by the time children come into the care of the States. something has already gone wrong in their lives. ‘It is absolutely essential that we do the best for them. We need to ensure that services are of the highest standard and that different agencies work well together and provide seamless support.’

The SWIA is an independent and impartial external agency, set up by the Scottish Government in 2005 to drive up standards and improve quality in social work services.

Agency boss Alexis Jay says the Jersey inspection will place a great deal of emphasis on the evidence gathered from people who use services. ‘We are completely impartial with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of social work services, including those delivered in smaller Island communities. That means we are uniquely placed to provide informed comment on Jersey’s services.’

An inspection report will be published in November 2011.