A Merseyside council has agreed a multi-million-pound deal following a damming Ofsted report.
Sefton Council has confirmed it will be welcoming colleagues from Leeds City Council in a two-year deal that will see the authorities combine to improve the authorities' children's services. The £3m Family Valued partnership was agreed after a successful council bid to the Department for Education.
"Family Valued" is an approach that looks to focus on the strengths and importance of family and is centred on the working relationships between practitioners and families. Leeds has already seen a reduction in the rate and number of cared for children as well as fewer child protection plans.
READ MORE: 'Widespread failures' found across Sefton Council's children's services
The announcement of the deal comes just a month after Ofsted released a damming report that slammed the "widespread failures" of the council's children's services.
Following the initial introductory sessions for social care staff, Sefton’s new Director of Education and Children’s Services Martin Birch said: “I am delighted we have got this new Family Valued partnership with Leeds underway as it will build upon the improvement work already started as we respond to the recent Ofsted recommendations by learning and delivering better results for children, young people and their families in Sefton.
“Feedback to the introductory sessions was very positive and included comments such as ‘ it was just what we needed to focus and motivate us all on our way up ’ ' and ‘I came out excited for the months/years ahead'. Our staff are ready to take on the challenges we face and determined to achieve success for all of our children, young people and families.”
Steve Walker, Leeds City Council’s Director of Strengthening Families, Protecting Children said: “We are delighted to be working with colleagues in Sefton to implement Family Valued. I have been impressed by the commitment that I have seen from elected members, partners and staff across Children’s Services to work together relationally to ensure that children and young people in Sefton have the opportunities they need and deserve to reach their potential.”
Cllr Mhairi Doyle MBE, Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care, said: “Adopting the Family Valued approach, combined with the significant extra resources we have allocated to Children’s Services in Sefton, will play a significant role in helping us to deal with the unprecedented demand we have seen since the pandemic.
“While we do, of course acknowledge our Ofsted rating and the need to improve it, our focus must be on ensuring Sefton’s children and young people benefit from the best services possible. We are committed to making sure they are safe, protected and inspired to reach their full potential and this week’s events are an important step on that path.”
