Protection of Lanarkshire children up to standard

Oct 8 2008 by Graham Miller, Wishaw Press

NORTH Lanarkshire’s child protection agencies have been commended following a newly-published report by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education (HMIe).

The report states that inspectors are “confident that children in North Lanarkshire receive the help they need to keep them safe.”

The inspection report, one of the best so far in Scotland, evaluated the effectiveness of services and awarded nine “very goods”, seven “goods” and two “satisfactory” scorings.

Key areas singled out for very positive comment include, good partnership working and highly professional staff delivering child protection services.

During the three weeks the inspectors spent in North Lanarkshire they interviewed children, young people, families and professionals.

They also met with staff from a range of agencies involved in delivering child protection services, including North Lanarkshire Council, NHS Lanarkshire, Strathclyde Police and the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration.

Mary Fegan, chair of North Lanarkshire child protection committee noted that the findings of the report reflected the work of the CPC in improving services across agencies as well as sharing best practice.

Mary Fegan said: “Not all harm to children can be avoided, but I’m pleased that the hard work of the CPC, in helping reduce the threat of harm to children, has been recognised by the inspectors.”

Gavin Whitefield, chief executive of North Lanarkshire Council, said: “The main focus for the inspection was finding out how agencies work together in North Lanarkshire to support children and young people who have been harmed, or who may be at risk of harm, if vital support is not in place to help them.

“The results show the importance placed on the delivery of child protection services in North Lanarkshire by all partners to some of the most vulnerable young people in our communities.”

In highlighting areas for further development, the inspectors recognised that there has been a lot of development work on a single and multi-agency basis over the last few years, the full benefits of which will be seen in the future.

An action plan has been produced by the partners and areas outlined in this include improving the availability of specialist services; involving health services in all child protection processes; improving assessment of risks and needs; progressing an inter-agency approach to domestic abuse and improving permanency planning for children.

A follow through inspection will take place in two years to look at how these areas have been further progressed.

SNP MSP for Central Scotland, Alex Neil, said: “I am very pleased to see so many aspects of the service to protect children and young people being either very good or good in North Lanarkshire.

“I congratulate staff on their hard work attaining these levels. There are a few areas which are classed as satisfactory, however, and it is important attention is drawn to these areas for their improvement.”