24/02/04 - Cumbria County Council response to SSI Inspection of Social Care Services for Children and Families

Today, County Councillor John Mallinson, Cabinet spokesman for Care and Social Services issued the following statement in response to the publication of the report by the Social Services Inspectorate (SSI) on social care services for children and families in Cumbria.  

“In the last three years the Council has increased spending for social services and recently provided additional resources to meet existing demands and provide for more front line staff in social services.  The plans to increase capacity have suffered through recruitment and retention problems.  There is a national shortage of Social Workers and we are currently looking at new and innovative ways to gain additional staff and to support our own care workers and family support workers through additional qualification training, taking them to qualified social worker status.

The Council is committed to the development of quality services for children and families in Cumbria and this is reflected in the Corporate Strategy and a further £1m extra to promote the well being of vulnerable people and their carers during 2004/05.  The lack of progress on planned development highlighted by the Inspectors is extremely regrettable but I do not believe it is in any way due to a lack of commitment from the Council’s members or officers.

The appointment of a new Head of Child and Family services last year and the recent appointment of a new Interim Corporate Director of Social Services will provide the leadership and focus for the planned developments.  Cabinet has today agreed the Action Plan for improvement and given Stephen Wilds delegated power to amend and implement the plan.

Last week’s Corporate Parenting Conference was well attended by members highlighting our commitment to the children and young people in our care.

Although terms of reference have not yet been written, we agreed yesterday the creation of an all party `Children’s Services Improvement Panel’ as a Cabinet sub=committee.  The panel will compliment the work of Overview and Scrutiny, ensuring services continue to develop and improve.  I am confident that we now have a clear view of what we need to achieve to ensure quality services for children and families in Cumbria.”