Dorset chosen to pilot new social care system
It's one of three places that'll be testing 'Families First for Children'
Last updated 26th Jul 2023
A major shake-up of the child social-care system is being launched in Dorset to put more safety measures in place for vulnerable children.
It follows a review into the deaths of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes and Star Hobson - which found the current system was fragmented and not delivering for children.
Dorset's one of the first places try out bringing agencies together to help families affected by addiction, domestic abuse or mental health.
Children's Minister Claire Coutinho explains why it's needed:
"If you're thinking about vulnerable children, the best way to protect them is to make sure they have strong relationships in their lives; making sure that families, before they get into greater and greater difficulties are getting the support when they need it, so those families can stay together.
"What can be really hard for children in the care system is that sometimes they can be bounced around so much that they never really get that chance to have those relationships in their life that ultimately is what grounds us all, gets us out of bed in the morning when we're having a tough time and protects us when we need that extra helping hand."
What is Families First for Children?
We're told the new system will 'test new ways to reform every part of the children’s social care system'.
It aims to 'help children stay with their families in safe and loving homes, whilst protecting vulnerable children where needed'.
It also wants to 'increase the role of family networks' with a view to rolling it out across the country.
Local authorities will work with key partners like health services, police, education providers, the voluntary and community sector, and local communities.
Claire Coutinho, the Government's Children's Minister says Dorset's helping to shape it due to its previous successes:
"We picked areas that scored really highly across the board - so Lincolnshire, Wolverhampton and Dorset - they all scored highly in terms of their children's social care services. Some of the changes that we're putting forward are quite innovative, and we wanted to work with really high quality areas to make sure that we've got the model right."
Dorset Council response
Councillor Byron Quayle, portfolio holder for children, education, skills and early help, said:
“We put families at the heart of all the work we do so it’s great to see that Dorset Council has been recognised as a leading light in the work of children’s services.
“Our last full Ofsted inspection said the service had outstanding leadership so I am confident we have the skills and experience to be able to carry out the work the government is asking of us.
"In addition we have a really strong partnership across police, health and education and together we are already working on many of the things listed as part of the programme such as Family Hubs and our work on Safeguarding Families Together.
"The programme is about putting families first and part of that approach will mean we will be working with our children, young people and families to design services with them.”