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Protection service 'rebuilt' to reach abused children quicker



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Published Date: 04 April 2008
By GARETH ROSE
A MAJOR overhaul of Edinburgh's child protection service is under way to ensure children at risk of neglect or abuse are taken out of dangerous homes more quickly.
The move, which the city council has described as a "major rebuilding" of the department, follows a damning inspectors' report last year which led to Children's Minister Adam Ingram demanding "significant improvements".

It comes as the city counci
l has struggled to cope with the continuing increase in referrals from worried neighbours, teachers and relatives in recent years.

High profile cases, such as the death of baby Caleb Ness, which in itself led to a major review, have made people more vigilant and quicker to report parents to the council if they believed a child's safety may be at stake.

The new measures include creating an emergency care scheme, which involves two carers able to take children in at short notice.

A respite and outreach unit, which gives parents a break when they are struggling to cope, has also been created and a close support unit, for children who require greater support, is due to open this month. Both units will be aimed at supporting children, and in some cases parents, from struggling households.

Two new officials – a senior manager and an inspector – have been recruited on a temporary basis to bring the service up to speed.

Tom Aitchison, chief executive of the city council and chairman of Edinburgh, Lothians and Borders Executive Group (Elbeg), said today: "We have set an ambitious target to improve in all areas required by the time we are given another full inspection in 2009.

"This will ensure that Edinburgh compares favourably with other urban councils. Having carefully analysed all aspects of the child protection service since the inspection report was published in September 2007, it is clear that a major 'rebuilding' of the service is required."

The council's commitment to improving its child protection service has been welcomed by children's charities.

A spokeswoman for Barnardo's Scotland children services said: "It seems clear that the City of Edinburgh has fully acknowledged the findings of the HMIE report and we welcome their response. We will be keen to review progress after the interim inspection in June 2008."

Children 1st urged the council to ensure communities and families were properly listened to in their attempts to keep children safe.

• www.edinburgh.gov.uk
• www.scotland.gov.uk
• www.barnardos.org.uk
• www.children1st.org.uk





The full article contains 417 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 04 April 2008 2:08 PM
  • Source: Edinburgh Evening News
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Edinburgh Council
 
1

Robert,

Kirriemuir 04/04/2008 12:42:00
We read and hear the same mantra decade after decade by the chattering classes. What, for example is the dictionary meaning of 'outreach'? If we cannot use plain English how then can we be certain that we are actually communicating; and this is only a minor issue so what about the major ones?

Some unfortunate children might be subjected to abuse by their parents but by using the proverbial 'sledge hammer to crack the nut' is not likely to resolve the problem. Surely it is imperative that children are not seperated from their parents except in extreme and unresolvable circumstances. Separation is equally as harmful as the abuse. What is needed is a team of experienced (note the word 'experienced' rather than academic qualifications) child protection and family orientated personnel to move into the home and educate the parents on social, domestic, and parenting skills, but without making the parents feel threatened by this intervention. The parents need to be able to understand that it is in theirs and the family's best interest to cooperate. What needs to be done is not the removal of the children but the socialisation of the parents. To do this surely cannot be any more costly than the upkeep of children's homes and the consequential damage that separation does to both children and parents and especially to subsequent generations? If I recall correctly it was the late research scientist BF Skinner whom highlighted the consequential disasterous effects of maternal deprivation and yet society continues to ignore such vital information, erroneously believing that substitution is preferable which sadly can only be to the detriment of us all.
2

psycho,

edinbra 04/04/2008 15:36:01
Robert,
How do you suggest one "socialises" parents ?
have you ever been in a situation when you had to make a decision about leaving a child in a situation which could possibly result in harm to the child and then later if it did face the consequences
BF Skinner had a certain way with pigeons -he was less persuasive in his ideas about humans
3

Brian M,

Edinburgh 04/04/2008 18:17:52
'A respite and outreach unit, which gives parents a break when they are struggling to cope, has also been created and a close support unit, for children who require greater support, is due to open'

Who decides which parents need 'a break' and why are the city council tax payers funding this?

This 'service' should not be a responsibility of local government and the council tax payer
4

Robert,

Kirriemuir 05/04/2008 00:18:10
#2 Having worked in the field and having subsequently dealt with the consequences of those committed to care at an early age and the personal disasters this has caused when on reaching adulthood and themselves having had children, I am conversant with what is the best method in the interest of the child, and removal from parental care needs to be avoided where ever possible. Re-socialisation is not difficult and if it is not possible owing to the lack of intellect then family support rather than supervision becomes necessary. Irrespective of how good substitute care might be it always leaves a damaged individual. Good fostering, while it may occur, seldom exists. Any separation from the mother, irrespective of how short it might be, is harmful and it is also a buden on society. Abused children who remained with their parents have, in adulthood, shown to be less damaged and often quite successful than those who suffered substitute care. If you are questioning my view from what you culled from academic study, then you might learn just a tad more from personal observation and lengthy experience.

 

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