Services for Children and Young People in Argyll and Bute – Pilot Joint Inspection Report, 18 September 2013
The Report of the Pilot Joint Inspection has been published on the Care Inspectorate website.
The inspection of children’s services took place over 22 weeks earlier this year and involved inspections, reviews of case records, interviews of families and young people, meetings with staff and elected members. The inspectors looked at work of the Community Planning Partnership to improve the lives of children in Argyll and Bute, and considered services to children and young people provided by health visitors, school nurses, teachers, doctors, social workers, police officers and the voluntary sector.
The inspection has highlighted a number of strengths which included:
- The strong commitment to prevention and early intervention
- A very positive culture of partnership working at all levels
- The flexible approach to working with families to improve outcomes for children and young people
- Sound work to promote strong and resilient children, young people and families
Inspectors also highlighted three areas of good practice which are:
- Getting it right antenatal – our inter-agency approach to identifying and supporting vulnerable pregnant women, which is having a significant impact on giving unborn babies the best start in life
- Early intervention service – known as Billy’s Project, this service provides high quality intensive support to vulnerable children and young people
- Nurse co-ordinators – working to support children in care, families affected by homelessness and gypsy traveller families
The overall inspection grades are as follows:
| Quality indicator | Evaluation |
|---|---|
| Providing help at an early stage | Very Good |
| Impact on children and young people | Good |
| Assessing and responding to risks and needs | Adequate |
| Planning for individual children | Adequate |
| Planning and improving services | Adequate |
| Participation of children and young people | Good |
| Leadership of improvement and change | Good |
| Improving the wellbeing of children and young people | Good |