Children and young people in Argyll and Bute are benefitting from trusting relationships and feel their voices are heard and their opinions valued.
This was just one of the strengths highlighted during a recent joint inspection by the Care Inspectorate, in partnership with Education Scotland, Healthcare Improvement Scotland and HMICS.
Inspectors looked at the impact Argyll and Bute’s Community Planning Partnership is having on the lives of looked after children and young people in the area, and those for whom the partnership has corporate parenting responsibilities.
The findings of the inspection show that services are working well together, underpinned by a collaborative, learning culture, and there is strong evidence of a commitment to partnership working at all levels.
Young people were asked about their experience of the services they receive and, along with parents and carers, were given the opportunity to complete a survey on their views. The findings showed that children and young people in need of care and protection are being kept safe thanks to effective intervention by representatives from a range of organisations that make up Argyll and Bute’s Community Planning Partnership.
There was also a clear commitment at all levels of the partnership to engage with hard to reach communities, families and individuals.
Inspectors praised the positive, coherent and committed approach to corporate parenting being implemented across Argyll and Bute, and recognised the way vulnerable young people are being equipped to develop emotional resilience through a range of support services, including nurture provision in schools and youth counselling. Individually planned measures have also been developed to support vulnerable children in the most isolated communities.
Inspectors also identified good support for young people moving on to independent living and noted that many of those leaving care were going on to achieve positive destinations through further education, employment and/or training.
Welcoming the report, Argyll and Bute Council’s Policy Lead for Health and Social Care, Kieron Green, said: “The report findings are, as expected, very positive and emphasise the importance we place on the health and wellbeing of vulnerable children and young people in Argyll and Bute.
“We want them to have the best start in life and it’s clear from the findings that we are working hard to achieve this. There is always room for improvement and we must continue to do everything we can to protect children and young people in our communities who are in need of care and protection, both at operational and strategic levels.”