Blackpool council’s child protection services are overstretched and understaffed, according to a joint review report, writes Anabel Unity Sale.
The Audit Commission and Social Services Inspectorate found that Blackpool’s child protection services were staffed by inexperienced personnel with unrealistic workloads. The joint review team said although Blackpool social services served some people well overall, its prospects for improvement were poor.
The review also found that the local authority’s in-house family support service was not sufficiently targeted at preventing family breakdowns, and did not address Blackpool’s specific difficulties such as teenage pregnancies.
The report’s recommendations include Blackpool’s senior management team providing clear leadership and direction; strengthening child protection arrangements; improving assessment and care planning for adult services, and improving financial management.
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Details of government consultations
02 October 2008
Private Member Bills
25 July 2008
Government Legislation
25 July 2008
