Social Services have a duty by law to state how they are going to work with children in need. This is called a Children’s Services Plan and sets out the work that we are planning over the next three years, although it is reviewed annually.
The plan is a way of securing better services and better outcomes for children and brings together the ideas from a number of different plans (Local authorities, Health Authorities and the statutory and voluntary sector partners) into one document.
The main recommendations of the Children Services Plan are:
The plan recommends that a consultation strategy be drafted. This is so that all those who work with vulnerable children and families, work together to ensure better services are available and that the needs of vulnerable children are understood.
Actions:
Produce a multi-agency consultation strategy
Ensure the consultation process is explicit in all written plans
Plan a programme of consultation events to be undertaken within the voluntary sector
It is predicted that there will be a large increase in the numbers of children from various minority ethnic communities in Oldham. Little is known about children from dual heritage backgrounds so the plan recommends that all services ensure better ethnic monitoring by adopting a specific method of the Council for Racial Equality.
Actions:
Support the development of the CRE standards audit tool
Improve ethnic monitoring
Research
has found that looked after children do not perform as well at school. The plan recommends that a research
project be undertaken to improve joint working and uncover the reasons why the system is failing these
children.
Actions:
Improve joint working and establish protocols for information sharing between Education and Social Services
Research support needs of looked after children
Expand the role of the corporate parent
A research paper on Supporting the Education of Looked After Children in Oldham has been produced and is available in the publications section.
Social Services work in partnership with the voluntary sector. The plan recommends a programme of consultation with the voluntary sector to encourage growth of this partnership and gain a better understanding about the service of the voluntary sector.
Actions:
Carry out consultation programme (see Consultation)
Audit of voluntary sector provision to be undertaken
The setting up of a multi-agency research and information group has shown the benefits of working across agencies. It has also uncovered several areas for further research and recommends this be undertaken.
Actions:
Research the education of looked after children
Research teenage parenthood
Research transitions for young adults requiring services
Uncover hidden figures behind children with mental ill health
Oldham Young Carers offer a valuable service to vulnerable children. However, its funding is on a short term basis. The plan recommends that other ways of providing the service are found.
Actions:
Support funding applications and explore new funding initiatives
The plan states that further guidance is needed to draw together staffing and finance information from across different agencies.
Actions:
Re-launch Staffing and Finance Task Group to implement Department of Health guidance
It is recommended that the action plan should be monitored on a quarterly basis. This should also form part of the evaluation process.
Actions:
Produce monitoring guidance quarterly
Evaluate the planning process
Review the plan in light of Department of Health guidance
Review the Children Services Plan annually