Perth and Kinross Council area gains "outstanding" results for Child Protection
Child protection services in the Perth and Kinross area are
outstanding and are the best in Scotland, according to the latest
Care Inspectorate report published today (Tuesday 25 October
2011).
Joint services to protect children and young people are provided
by Perth & Kinross Council, NHS Tayside, Tayside Police and
many voluntary organisations. The Care Inspectorate has reported
exceptional and ground breaking partnership working.
The Report highlights six particular strengths as:
- The leadership and direction provided to staff is
exceptional
- Exceptionally high quality and trusting relationships with
staff
- Children and families are benefitting from an outstanding level
of individual support at an early stage and for as long as it is
needed
- The high quality support available, particularly in evenings
and at weekends
- Very positive improvements in the lives of children in need of
protection
- A strong culture and ethos of improving outcomes through
integrated services and partnership work at all levels
Examples of good practice in the Perth and Kinross area include
helping children affected by parental substance misuse, supporting
young people to move to adulthood, develop confidence and to be
more resilient, providing advice to young people on improving their
health and wellbeing, and helping children to recover from the
effects of abuse or neglect.
Perth & Kinross Council Leader, Councillor Ian Miller said:
"It is excellent to have received such an exceptional report from
the Inspectors which recognises all the hard and dedicated work
which goes on daily here in Perth and Kinross.
"The important thing for everyone to remember is that we all
have a responsibility to make sure children are "all right".
We and our partners will continue to do the very best we can to
protect our young people. Of course we must never be
complacent. We must continue to ensure that everyone is
focussed on and fully aware of their responsibilities."
Minister for Children and Young People, Angela Constance said:
"I'd like to congratulate Perth & Kinross Council on what is a
hugely encouraging report. It's essential that children get the
best start in life and for that to happen they and their families
often require support of the calibre clearly provided across Perth
and Kinross.
"The care and safety of our youngsters is paramount and it's
clear from the Care Inspectorate report that this is something
which everyone involved in child protection across the region is
delivering through their ongoing sterling work and commitment."
Perth & Kinross Council's Chief Executive Bernadette Malone
said: "There are some 32,000 children in our area and their
protection is what we think about in everything we do, as a Council
and when we deliver services in partnership with the Police, Health
Services, the Children's Reporter and our voluntary organisations.
We are delighted that Care Inspectors are extremely confident that
children and young people across our area are cared for, protected
and have their needs met.
"To have been awarded excellent ratings, is a credit to the
highly professional staff and the way they work together, right
across the public services in our area."
Roddy Ross, Chief Superintendent in charge of policing in Perth
and Kinross said: "The way of working by all those in the public
and voluntary organisations who are involved in protecting children
in the Perth and Kinross area has rightly been singled out as
exceptional by the Inspectors. The focus on child protection is
always at the forefront in our day to day work and it's the same
with all our partners."
Gerry Marr, Chief Executive of NHS Tayside said: "Protecting
children is the most important service we can provide and staff and
volunteers here in Perth and Kinross area demonstrate their
commitment and dedication to that task every day.
"However we can never be complacent and we will keep striving to
ensure that, in partnership, we continue to make the difference for
our more vulnerable children."
Karen Anderson, the Care Inspectorate's director of operations,
said: "There is nothing more important than protecting the most
vulnerable children in our society by ensuring their safety and
well-being.
"Although no-one, including the Care Inspectorate, can provide an
absolute guarantee that all children will be protected from
significant harm all of the time, it is vital to ensure that
services work together as effectively as possible to reduce risks
and improve the lives of vulnerable children and their
families.
"This report published today is primarily aimed at letting
people in Perth & Kinross know just how well services in their
area are working together to protect children and meet their needs.
We are very pleased to recognise the outstanding work that is being
done in Perth & Kinross and the extremely strong and ambitious
vision for child protection held by Chief Officers and senior
managers. However, there is no room for complacency and we are
pleased that services are committed to continuous improvement and
we look forward to working with them to support this vision."
Inspectors highlighted three projects as excellent examples of
child protection:
Bounce Back
Bounce Back is a school based programme aimed at building
children and young people's resilience by directly teaching them
personal coping skills and creating environments which help them to
develop a sense of well being. Bounce Back was first introduced
into Primary Schools in 2008.
The Child Protection Inspection found that the programme had a
very positive impact on children's personal resilience and on their
relationships. The Inspectors reported that the children said they
were now more aware of how to control their feelings and thought
their classrooms were kinder and happier places.
Feedback from children and young people about the Bounce Back
Programme:
- "It stops fights in the playground"
- "It helps us solve problems together"
- "Rather than ask a teacher we now have the skills to solve
problems ourselves"
- "It helped me bounce back when I fell out with my friend"
@Scott Street
@Scott Street is a one stop shop which offers a wide range of
services, facilities, advice and information for vulnerable young
people mainly aged between 16 - 25 years. Designed and named by
young people themselves, the town centre premises opened in April
2010. Services and facilities include a café; washing and
laundry facilities for young people in homeless accommodation;
private meeting rooms; career and job seeking advice and support;
health information and advice sessions; and parenting help and
advice for teenage mothers.
The Perth and Kinross area Youth Council is based @ Scott Street
and co-ordinated the area's involvement in the Children?s
Commissioner's "A Right Blether" with the highest national
percentage of children participating across Scotland.
Feedback from young people about @Scott Street:
- "It's great having all my support in one place, that's in the
middle of town"
- "It's a safe and comfortable place to be"
- "Atmosphere is great and makes it easy to come and talk"
- "It is very noticeable and everyone knows it's here"
- "Always someone to talk to and staff are always friendly"
Change is a Must
Change is a Must is delivered through collaboration between
children's services, health services, drug and alcohol services and
Barnardos Hopscotch. Based at Almondbank House in Perth, the
project provides intensive support, advice and practical help for
families affected by substance misuse. Change is a Must focuses on
helping vulnerable babies and children up to eight years of
age.
A young mum commented: "Change is a Must has made a big
difference to me and my son. I wake up every day and look at my
house and my bairn and think "I've done it" but Change is a Must
did it with me. It has helped me with support and housing. I
can be the Mum for my son that I couldn't be for my other two
kids.
"I've shown my family that their daughter is changing, their
daughter has done it - being off heroin and giving my kids the life
they need - knowing I'm being a Mum again."
