Care Inspectorate reports on Community Planning Partnership's children's services in Moray

The publication of the Care Inspectorate’s report on the recent joint inspection of services for children and young people in Moray was today (Feb 16) welcomed by Community Planning Partners.

Moray Council, NHS Grampian, Police Scotland, the Moray Integrated Joint Board and TSi Moray have been working with inspectors and partners to address issues raised by the inspection, a number of which have been resolved and a robust action plan is in place to address the rest. Chairman of the Community Planning Partnership board, Cllr Allan Wright, said all of the inspector’s findings have been accepted.

“We accept the findings in this report and have been hard at work since the inspection addressing the issues and challenges that have been raised.

“I am confident the partnership is on the right track. “The single most important fact is that the inspection found that no children were at risk. Whilst we are not complacent about the shortcomings identified, the fact that our children and young people are safe provides me with some assurance and confidence in our care provision.”

Whilst the report makes recommendations in respect of areas for improvement it also highlights a number of areas of strength, with particular reference to the nurturing support to parents and very young children, and the willingness of front line staff and senior managers to work collectively to meet the needs of children and young people.

The Chair of the recently-formed Moray Chief Officers Group and Director of Public Health for NHS Grampian, Susan Webb, said: “Whilst inspectors highlighted important areas for improvement, we are pleased they have recognised the good work of CPP staff who continue to create a safe and nurturing environment for our children.”

Chief executive of Moray Council, Roddy Burns, said that much had been done at strategic level since the inspection.

“Leadership issues highlighted by inspectors are acknowledged and we have sought to address these as a matter of urgency,” he said.

“Senior officers from Moray Council, NHS Grampian, Police Scotland the Moray Integrated Joint Board have joined forces to provide strategic and cohesive direction, we’ve commissioned a needs assessment for children’s services across the partnership, and developed a children’s services plan for the coming 12 months.

“This will inform our longer-term plans for the service.”

The report found that front-line staff were committed, motivated and worked well together. In a recent staff survey the vast majority said they were supported by management, felt they made a positive impact on children’s lives and also felt they understood their roles and responsibilities in relation to Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC).

Read or download the full report here