Blackpool staff ‘inexperienced’

Child protection services are overstretched and understaffed at
Blackpool Council, according to a joint review.

The Audit Commission and Social Services Inspectorate found that
Blackpool’s child protection services were staffed by inexperienced
personnel with unrealistic workloads. The inspectors said that
although Blackpool social services served some people well, its
prospects for improvement were poor.

The report’s recommendations include clearer leadership, improved
assessment and care planning for adult services, and stronger child
protection arrangements.