Comments on: ‘Inadequate’ Birmingham social services still failing children at risk https://thechamberlainfiles.com/inadequate-birmingham-social-services-still-failing-children-at-risk/4975 Politics, LEPs and economic development in the West Midlands Fri, 24 May 2013 21:10:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 By: The Chamberlain Files https://thechamberlainfiles.com/inadequate-birmingham-social-services-still-failing-children-at-risk/4975#comment-3282 The Chamberlain Files Tue, 30 Oct 2012 16:57:17 +0000 https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=4975#comment-3282 [...] ‘Inadequate’ Birmingham social services still failing children at risk [...]

]]> By: Marc Reeves https://thechamberlainfiles.com/inadequate-birmingham-social-services-still-failing-children-at-risk/4975#comment-3123 Marc Reeves Sat, 20 Oct 2012 08:51:07 +0000 https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=4975#comment-3123 Now and then? The clock started in February 2009. My O level grade B in Maths tells me ‘a fifth year’ is therefore a pretty fair description

]]> By: Billy@billy.com https://thechamberlainfiles.com/inadequate-birmingham-social-services-still-failing-children-at-risk/4975#comment-3121 Billy@billy.com Fri, 19 Oct 2012 19:23:09 +0000 https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=4975#comment-3121 Notice for improvement in Feb 2009, latest report in October 2012 – article says that BCC will spend a “fifth” year in special measures.

Numerically, 2013 will be a fifth year, but I count three yrs and eight months between now and then.

Stretching the truth to the extremes?

]]> By: jim chee https://thechamberlainfiles.com/inadequate-birmingham-social-services-still-failing-children-at-risk/4975#comment-3119 jim chee Fri, 19 Oct 2012 18:30:35 +0000 https://thechamberlainfiles.com/?p=4975#comment-3119 Its no great surprise that the finding was that the Services to vulnerable children are ‘inadequate’ but what is galing is that any credibility can be given to Peter Duxbury as a ‘key driver’ of change
He is widely regarded as a buffoon and completely out of his depth in Birmingham, and is not well liked as he doesnt work on Wednesdays
it is simply not credible that even Ofsted can think that we are improving under some new leadership. The Childrens Service has been judged inadequate for sever,al years now and if things have changed since Duxbury started then what the hell were we doing paying Eleanor Brazil so much for no improvement.
her legacy – the introduction of generic Integrated Family Service Teams – seemingly acknowledged as useful by Ofsted but in reality a confused and confusing service for service users and professionals alike – is now in danger as during the Ofsted inspection the Schools Forum voted to cease funding of these IFSTs as they are not seen as value for money or effective. Thus the basis for the Strategy initiated by Brazil and followed by Duxbury is undermined immediately

The Ofsted report notes that most ‘children in need’ – a term statutorily defined – do not have a Child In Need Plan . This is hardly surprising given that the Robin to Brazil’s Batman, Mark Gurrey, seemed to think that this wasn’t necessary.

the shortage of Social Workers means that Core Assessments that should be undertaken for vulnerable children are not being done. the quality of those Assessments is usually appalling anyway.

this system is more chaotic and failing than even Ofsted acknowledge. it would be funny if it were not so tragic. Duxbury cannot and will not improve anything and to be honest his patronising approach will alienate more staff. He emphasises that Services should aim ‘towards excellence’ We should be trying to provide a good service that has the capacity to improve and not wasting time with mission statements and motivational talks that achieve nothing but carry a veneer of managerial initiative
nothing has changed from the awful mess Howell and Tucker presided over.

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