More social workers, fewer managers proposed in Children’s Services restructure
Cutting senior managers by 40% and increasing front line social workers by 50% are among the proposals staff are being consulted on, within Children’s Services at IW Council.
The local authority said the restructing proposals are part of a “redesign of social care and other related services for the Island”.
Hampshire County Council was said to be working closely with experienced interim managers to design new services aimed at ensuring children are better protected and that professionals have lower case loads with better managerial oversight.
The IW Council said the proposals also include:
- An end to the Island’s experimental ‘reclaiming social work’ model
- A 50 per cent increase in front line social workers from 32 posts to 48
- A 28 per cent increase in other related front line positions
- A 40 per cent reduction in senior managers
- All achieved within existing budgets
- New services for children in need, children leaving care or at risk of coming into care
- A drive to recruit more foster carers and adopters
- A new central point of contact for all professionals and public on the Island
Reforms could also include improvements to youth services, special educational needs services and early help for families.
Cabinet member for Children’s Services, Councillor Richard Priest said:”I welcome these proposals which are aimed at addressing the problems that have been evident in our child protection system. It is a full and proper consultation and if there are ways in which we can improve the proposals we will be pleased to listen to those ideas.”
The consultation will run until 23 October.
