Walsall children's services are getting better
Walsall's under-fire children's services department has made improvements and was today rated as adequate – a year after a damning report found it was failing to protect vulnerable youngsters.
An improvement notice was served on Walsall Council by the Government last year after Ofsted branded the local authority's safeguarding services, and its capacity to improve, as inadequate.
But a report published into an inspection carried out between June 24 and July 5 was today released, revealing the overall effectiveness of children's services had improved.
The report states that children's services now has a clear vision, the right priorities and a better awareness of the work that is required to continue to improve.
There was also praise for the developing multi-agency screening team, which acts as the 'front door' for children's services, and the early help service, which works with children, young people and families to give them the support they need before a crisis begins or worsens.
Ofsted cited these services had led to 'significantly improved responses to contacts and referrals and better quality assessments, ensuring that children and young people are protected'.
But it found improvements were still required in areas such as learning from complaints, caseload management, dependence on agency staff, a clearer commissioning structure to show that services are tailored to local needs, better quality data and sustainability of change.
Last year's damning report led to the formation of an independent board to oversee improvements and plans were drawn up to overhaul the children's services department.
Rose Collinson took over as the new boss of children's services in September after former boss Pauline Pilkington stood down.
Councillor Rachel Andrew, Walsall Council's portfolio holder for children's services, said the authority was moving in the 'right direction'.
