Peterborough: Social Care Improvements

24 July 2012, 15:40 | Updated: 24 July 2012, 15:55

A year after Peterborough's Children's Services department was rated 'inadequate' by inspectors, a council report shows the department is improving.

Last year the department was criticised by Ofsted for its child safeguarding policies and child referral and assessment unit.

The head of the department left, an interim director was appointed and a major improvement plan was agreed.

During the inspection, child social workers were found to be 'overburdened' with cases and each found to be dealing with on average 30 cases.

However, a report presented to Councillors at a recent Creating Opportunties and Tackling Inequalities Scrutiny Committee found improvements have been made at the department.

£1.2 million pounds a year is being spent on an additional 26 social workers, which has led to each social worker now dealing with 15 cases on average at any one time.

Cabinet Member for Children's Social Care at Peterborough City Council, Councillor Sheila Scott, said: "It has been a steady improvement that we have put in place.

Although we have made significant process, we still have some way to go yet.

We have made dramatic changes to our initial child referral and assessment unit.

We are now meeting all government targets at this department.

We are now moving on to look at other parts of the service."