UK - Child services improving ?

Child services improving
Published on 29/11/2007
Problem: Cumbria has a culture of heavy drinking in some areas but this is being tackled By Keir Mudie Education Reporter
CUMBRIA County Council’s Children’s Services Department is heading in the right direction, according to government inspectors.In their latest Ofsted report, government education experts have explored every aspect of the council’s services for young people – from schools and colleges through to health and road safety.
The inspection team found there were still problems in Cumbria, including the performance of secondary schools, drug abuse and teenage pregnancy.However it acknowledged that the council was improving the way it deals with these problems. They found that the authority had made “significant progress” since its last inspection. Cumbria County Council’s director of children’s services, Moira Swann, said she was delighted with the report and confident that staff can meet Ofsted standards.“The staff have done a fantastic job,” she said.“We have moved on tremendously when you think that areas of the department were in special measures just a couple of years ago.” Mrs Swann went on to address some of the problems laid out in the report, which include the following:n Underperforming secondary schools.
The report: “Too many are currently causing concern and improvement has not been pushed through.” Mrs Swann: “The authority’s role is to monitor, challenge and intervene. We’re constantly looking and analysing and working hard to improve things.
“We have set up a group and are working with headteachers. “In two years time I am confident that the problems will be sorted out.” Children smoking, and using alcohol and drugs.The report: “High numbers of young people smoke, drink or use illegal drugs.” Mrs Swann: “These problems are a fact of life and we have to take a realistic view of them. We’re using a much more focused approach to the way that we provide youth services.
“Youth culture across the country leans towards problems with drinking and smoking and this is something that we are addressing. As well as reorganising the youth services, we are taking a preventative approach by improving education. There will be a full range of new services in place by March 2009 – but we are already changing the way we work.”
Poor dental health.
The report: “The number of children with decayed, missing or filled teeth has increased significantly in parts of the county.” Mrs Swann: “In some areas this could be due to a lack of water fluoridation. We’re taking a preventative approach and making sure we are in schools talking about the issue.”
In their report, inspectors also said: “Overall the council has made good progress in meeting our recommendations and has shown good capacity to maintain and improve its services for children and young people.” Mrs Swann added: “Although many of our services were rated as adequate last December, we were absolutely determined to improve our services. “It’s really gratifying for all of us to get this assessment, which acknowledges all that hard work and what we have achieved in the last twelve months. “The other good news is that we have the ability and capacity to improve even further.”