Southampton's children's social care services 'requires improvement'

Watchdogs have alerted civic chiefs over the safety and well-being of some children in the city.

It comes as Ofsted inspectors have rated children’s social care services in the city as “requires improvement to be good”, the second lowest rate.

They recognised that improvements are being made but said that progress since the last inspection in 2014 has been “uneven” and “too slow”.

Southampton Itchen MP Royston Smith said to be shocked.

City bosses hit back highlighting the improvements already made and said they will ensure more children are kept safe.

Ofsted inspectors said some children benefit from "skilled interventions and direct work that reduces risks to them and improves their daily lived experiences, but many do not".

In their report they said: “Risks to children from parental mental ill health, domestic abuse and substance misuse are not always fully understood and responded to with enough urgency. Inspectors alerted senior managers to a small number of children whose safety and well-being remained compromised.”

The quality of work with children in the assessment and protection and court teams has been branded as “inconsistent”.

Inspectors added: “Decisions to look after children are not always timely. Both the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service and the district family judge report significant concerns about the timeliness and quality of social workers’ evidence. A small number of children experience continued harm as opportunities are missed to safeguard them when risks increase. “

Watchdogs also said that “a lack of attention is paid to parental histories, repeated referral patterns and the potential for significant harm to children to persist and worsen.”

Young people leaving care now receive good support, inspectors said, but “too many have been inappropriately placed in bed and breakfast”.

However inspectors noted the work done to address the consequences of “very high workloads for social workers”.

But they said "some children in care have too many changes of social worker".

Hayley Garner, Unite branch secretary in Southampton, said the report is worrying.

MP Royston Smith added:“I am not just concerned I am disappointed and I am shocked that after all this time and promises from the council that we still find ourselves in the same or worse position that we have been in the last 10 years. There is a lack of political direction within the council. The question must be why is Southampton’s Children’s Services still so far behind other comparable authorities.”

The service was also rated “requires improvements “ when inspected in 2014.

However in their latest inspection watchdogs said “substantial improvements have been made in services for care leavers and in developing an effective, comprehensive and integrated network of early help and prevention services.” Response to children at immediate risk is also "prompt and rigorous”.

They said: “Responses by social workers to children at immediate risk are mainly prompt and rigorous. Concerns for children’s safety and welfare arising out of hours are also addressed quickly and proportionately. Multi-agency strategy discussions are held swiftly when initial risks are identified; children are seen promptly and decisions are well evidenced. Timely medical examinations are arranged when required.”

Ofsted inspectors highlighted also a number of measures the council is taking to improve the services. These include more financial support and scrutiny meetings.

Cllr Darren Paffey, cabinet member for aspiration, children and lifelong learning at the city council blamed austerity for the increase in demand but said to be pleased that improvements have been recognised.

He added: "Despite these challenges, I am pleased that the inspectors have identified a number of areas where our interventions are leading to significant improvements in children’s lives as well as areas where there is a strong and promising basis for further progress. The improvements we have already made, and those that this report confirms need further improvement, will ensure more children are kept safe and get a better start in life. However, in some areas the pace of change has not been fast enough, particularly in the context of increasing demand, and there is still work to do."

He said Mr Smith should be fighting for more funding for vulnerable children in the city.

“Royston Smith conveniently forgets that under his ‘Leadership’, he slashed social workers’ pay and conditions, leading to staffing chaos and inadequate services. He might want to deflect from his record, but the city won’t forget”, he added.