Moray child protection report praise following failings

SIGNIFICANT improvements have been made in a short time in child protection services in Moray, according to a follow-up report by inspectors.

A team from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education returned to Moray in June, after a report published in February outlined a series of failings – and they welcomed improvements made by Moray Council, NHS Grampian and Grampian Police in the areas of concern.

Director of community services for Moray Council, and chief social work officer, Sandy Riddell, said that a vast amount of work had been done.

“The concerns expressed by inspectors were taken very seriously and we focused on what needed to be done to address those weaknesses,” he said. “A huge amount of effort has gone on within, between and across agencies, and everyone has played their part in creating the conditions, and the necessary infrastructure, to make Moray a safer place for children.

“We are pleased that the great progress we have made has satisfied HMIe inspectors.”

Alastair Keddie, chief executive of Moray Council, said that a significant investment in services has been made on the back of the report.

A social worker post had been created at Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin and an additional three area team social workers had been recruited, along with a social worker for kinship care, and an additional social worker for fostering and adoption.

Another social worker for drug and alcohol services will be taken on board along with a family support worker for drug and alcohol services.

An Inspector’s post within Grampian Police will concentrate on further developing the force’s capacity to deal with child-related issues on a multi-agency basis.

Mr Keddie said all this was in addition to the police and social work staff commitment for a new co-located unit in Elgin.

“This is considerable investment in challenging financial times for local government and its partners,” he added.

In the follow-up report, HMIe inspectors accept that the full agenda for change in child protection will take several years to be fully implemented, but that a very commendable start has been made by the agencies.

Andrew Fowlie, general manager of the Moray Community Health and Social Care Partnership, said he was happy with progress. “We are continuing to work closely together to improve the quality of services in Moray,” he added.

Grampian Police Chief Constable Colin McKerracher said: “Alongside our partnership working, the formation of a Public Protection Unit in Grampian Police has combined services for child protection, the management of sex offenders, domestic abuse and vulnerable adults.”

The joint police and social work unit in Elgin is now fully staffed and operational, he said, and has greatly improved communication, planning and working between the two agencies.