Three C's key to success of integrated children's services

Cumbria County Council's Learning and Care joint consultative forum met with a wide group of key stakeholders on Friday to gain a range of views about the potential integration of children's social services and education. Communication, Co-ordination and Co-location were the three C's identified as key to the success of the strategy and the way forward for improving services for children and families in Cumbria. 

County Councillor Jim Webster, Chair of the Forum says, 

"I am pleased at the level of support for the integration of services for children and families in Cumbria. This is a very important issue for the Council and the people of Cumbria. It is vital that we gain as many views as possible about the way ahead for these services. The Forum identified potential barriers to integration along with possible solutions. Some of the barriers included communication and I.T. issues, current Government targets that are different for each service, legal and confidentiality issues. There is already a strong case for joint working between Education and Social Services. The forum agreed that we should continue to build on existing best practice to ensure service improvement for children and families in the County." 

Cumbria County Council's Chief Executive, Louis Victory gave a summary of comments from the Forum. He said, 

"Cumbria County Council is committed to improving service delivery and ensuring services offer high quality and value for money. The Government has to play its part in improving services to children and families. There is support for co-location, improved communication and clarification of the roles we have in service delivery. There is a clear indication that one of the benefits of more integrated working for children's services would be the ability to focus on prevention and early intervention. 

We must use staff and resources more effectively, ensuring training and development opportunities and `work life balance' policies attract and retain quality employees. Change has to be managed effectively and we have to ensure common aims, objectives to improve services for children. Integration gives the opportunity for a seamless service; a one-stop-shop for information and access to services. It seems clear from the views expressed that the integration of education and children's social services has the potential to improve outcomes for children and families in Cumbria." 

The views and opinions of the Learning and Care Joint Forum will help inform later decisions by the Council on these issues. Further consultation will take place with teacher's organisations, parents and children.