News

Good practice in family placement, court and duty work in one of England's first integrated children, families and schools departments were highlighted in a new report, but its future success depends on financial pressures in social services, writes Clare Jerrom.

The Social Services Inspectorate report into Brighton and Hove Council’s children’s services said the highlighted good practice would contribute towards service improvement.

But inspectors warned that the ultimate success of the integrated directorate would depend on its ability to resolve the serious capacity issues apparent in field work services, and the budgetary challenges facing social services.

The report highlighted that there were some signs of a service in distress. Managers were increasingly acting down to practitioner level, and the report recommended some work was transferred to family centres.

It acknowledged that extensive work was taking place to resolve the annual issue of children’s social care service overspend.

The report concluded that the directorate is serving some people well and has promising prospects.