Flintshire social workers praised for work with vulnerable children

SOCIAL workers have been praised for the work they carry out to ensure vulnerable children in Flintshire are at minimum risk.

All local authorities have reviewed their safeguarding children procedures following the tragic death of Baby Peter in Haringey, London.

Councils were also asked to ensure systems put into place following Lord Laming’s report into Victoria Climbie’s death several years earlier were still sound.

The Care and Social Services Inspectorate for Wales (CSSIW) undertook springtime reviews of child protection arrangements in all 22 local authorities in Wales. The aim was to produce a report about each individual authority and an overview report summarising the position in Wales.

The Inspectors’ report contains many positive endorsements of the work undertaken in Flintshire to make sure children are protected and families are given the support they need to be good parents.

A council spokesman said: “We are proud that the work undertaken by our teams has been recognised and we are pleased our staff have been given the credit they rightly deserve for their enthusiasm, commitment, knowledge and skill, working on a daily basis with families.

“The report also highlights areas for improvement which we need to consider and we will be building these into our action plans in the coming months to further strengthen our responses and improve practice where possible.”

Cllr Carol Ellis, executive member for Social Services at County Hall, said: “I would like to take this opportunity to recognise the achievements of our staff and to confirm the support and appreciation of councillors for the very important interventions they conduct on behalf of this county council in their everyday work with children and families whatever their role may be.”

Susan Lewis, director of Community Services, said: “We welcome this report which confirms that our safeguarding services for children are generally sound and confirms how we can make further improvements.

“I am particularly pleased that our staff are judged to respond to children at risk promptly and systematically, and that our professional and management support is good.”