The Care Inspectorate has evaluated the impact of services for children and young people at risk of harm in North Lanarkshire as very good.
The work of partners was making a positive difference to the lives of children and young people at risk of harm. Inspectors identified a few areas for improvement that partners were already aware of through their own self-evaluation and were taking steps to address through improvement plans.
The report noted that the partnership had a strong multi-agency approach to early intervention, collaborative working and information sharing.
Staff were confident in their knowledge, skills and ability to recognise, report and respond to signs of child abuse, neglect and exploitation. They worked together to ensure timely identification and response to safety concerns for children and young people at risk of harm.
Staff demonstrated trauma informed and relational practices, which helped children and young people experience supportive and trusting relationships with them.
Children and young people had early access to services to support their mental health and emotional wellbeing, before concerns escalated. Partnership approaches were helping to identify need and secure support earlier.
The majority of children and young people were meaningfully and appropriately involved in decisions about their lives. Staff listened to children and young people and understood them.
Senior leaders had a clear vision, which was understood by staff. It was threaded through strategic documents, plans and outcomes. The partnership was highly aspirational and had a strategic focus to improve outcomes for children and young people.
Collaborative leadership was strong across the partnership. Leaders were aware of strategic risk and jointly deployed resources to the areas of greatest need.
However, although chronologies assessments and plans were in place and staff were confident in assessing risks and preparing plans, the quality was inconsistent.
Jackie Irvine, Chief Executive of the Care Inspectorate, said: “The Care Inspectorate and its scrutiny partners are confident that the partnership in North Lanarkshire has the capacity to make the required improvements to service delivery in the areas that have been identified.
“The Care Inspectorate will request that the partnership provides a joint action plan that clearly details how it will make improvements in the key areas identified. We will continue to offer support for improvement and monitor progress.”
The full report can be read here.
A video summary of the report can be found here.