Child care service 'must improve'

The report found more could be done to help vulnerable youngsters

A report into social work services in Clackmannanshire has found more still needs to be done to meet the needs of children and vulnerable youngsters.

The Social Work Inspection Agency (SWIA) produced 16 recommendations but said people who relied upon the service were generally positive about it.

The inspection was carried out between November 2007 and March this year.

It follows a "damning" report by education inspectors on child care in Clackmannanshire earlier this year.

The SWIA assessed all aspects of Clackmannanshire's social services and found older people and those with mental health problems were well served.

Out of ten areas evaluated, five were found to be good and five described as "adequate".

However, it also found that more needed to be done to meet the needs of children, in particular those moving from one form of care to another.

'High standard'

Alexis Jay, chief inspector of the SWIA, said: "Clackmannanshire Council is providing good outcomes for those who rely on its services, but there needs to be sustained improvement in certain areas to ensure the council continues to build on its strengths."

READ IN FULL The Social Work Inspection Agency's report into Clackmannanshire Council Social Services [28KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here

In February, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education (HMIe), published the results of its own 12-month review of child care services in Clackmannanshire.

Local MSP Keith Brown said it was "one of the most damning HMIe reports" he had ever seen. The council said at the time the department's failings were caused by low staffing levels and insisted the service was now improving.

The latest study by SWIA said improvements were also needed in assessing the risks to vulnerable members of the community and managing those risk once they are identified.

It also said strategic planning needed better coordination and the management and support of staff could be improved.

Councillor Sam Oven, portfolio holder for regeneration at Clackmannanshire Council, said: "I'm pleased to note that the inspection report highlights many areas of good practice and I'd like to praise our social work staff for the high standard of work they do.

"Many of the recommendations have already been addressed with key senior people brought in and the strong commitment from elected members to continue to develop the services and this work will continue."