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Children’s services in town ‘improving’
GOVERNMENT inspectors who carried out an unannounced visit at a troubled council’s children’s services department earlier this year have released a report detailing their latest findings.
Ofsted staff examined the work of Doncaster Council, which faced criticism after the notorious Edlington attacks in which two young brothers attacked two other boys and the deaths of seven children.
The report praises a new children’s multi-agency referral and assessment service (CMARAS) which has seen police, health and social workers responsible for child safety based in the same office.
Inspectors, who visited the unit in January, said it has resulted in “good information-sharing between child welfare and criminal justice inquiries”.
The council was found to be “meeting statutory guidance” in 14 other areas, but was told that it still needed to improve its work under five headings, including record keeping and the use of agency workers.
Chris Pratt, director of children’s services said: “We have made great improvements in the last couple of years and are far more effective now than previously.
“Our managers and staff have worked tirelessly to make these improvements and I am very grateful to and proud of them and what they have achieved.
“We are committed to continuously improving our services and will not stop until we have implemented all further recommendations.
“Children and young people in Doncaster deserve the highest standard of services and we are determined to provide them.”
Mr Pratt pointed out that as part of their comments on the service, inspectors noted “front line managers effectively support staff”, “staff, including agency staff, are suitably qualified and experienced in safeguarding”, and “staff have manageable caseloads”, all major improvements on previous years.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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