Child protection progress

Published 15 Oct 2009 15:00 0 Comments

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A SURPRISE inspection has revealed that a council's troubled child protection services have "greatly improved".

It contrasted with the Ofsted Joint Area Review (JAR) published in January, which condemned Reading borough's child protection as "inadequate".

Some of the original inspectors returned to Reading again in August and their report reads: "The speed and effectiveness of the remedial change implemented by managers since the JAR have led to greatly improved frontline services for children and families."

They found many aspects of the service are now being delivered "satisfactorily", ensuring staff are not over-burdened, referrals are being carried out effectively and children's views are being considered.

But the report said initial assessments are still not being carried out quickly enough and the council must work more closely with police to investigate reports of domestic violence quickly.

It also said staff needed more help with complex cases and some families were having to wait for assistance.

Cllr John Ennis, borough children's services leader, said: 'I am very pleased to see Ofsted has recognised the real progress the service has made since the JAR, and I congratulate staff on this achievement, which their hard work and dedication thoroughly deserve.

"We are, however, well aware that there is still quite some way to go before we have the very high-quality service we are aiming for, and we will continue to do all we can to improve until we reach that point."

This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 15 Oct 09

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