Identifying the problem
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Transcript Identifying the problem
Niki Clemo
Service Director – Children’s Social Care
Cambridgeshire
14 December 2011
Cambridgeshire in 2009/10
Fully staffed, but inexperienced workforce
(over 68% less than 2 years experience)
Over-reliance on non-qualified staff
Rising LAC
Delay in court proceedings / multiple
requests for expert reports.
ICS!
Identifying the problem
‘Silted up’ at the front end – siege
mentality
Team Managers carrying the risk NQSWs
with high case load = high turnover
Quality of written work in assessment
Delay evident in every ADM meeting
Inconsistent practice – some outstanding,
some not so good
Identifying the solution
Considered different models of delivery
including RSW
Engaged staff in thinking about how to do
things differently
All service conference to consider RSW
model and a focus on improving practice.
Why Reclaim Social
Work?
Whole system approach (7’s model)
Reflective learning and development
Supporting families to stay together
Shifting the culture – working with families
Confidence back in practice
Celebrating what social workers do best
Seeing social workers as experts and having
the right tools (training) to do the
job.
The Response
Over-whelming support from front-line staff
Members, CEX and DCS all on board
Identified transformation funding
Commissioned MLA to support
transformation.
Social Work – Working for
Families
Designed around RSW model
Fully qualified social work units
44 social work units placed across county
to ensure no more than 35 minutes
travelling time
Partnership agreement with CAMH
services
Head of LAC – Head of Psychology
Criteria for Success
Clear vision, well articulated and
understood
Key set of principles of why we were doing
this
Highly skilled project manager and team
(including HR + Finance)
Engagement of Unison from early outset
‘Leaders’ able to ‘infect’ workforce
with idea
Criteria for Success (cont)
Sign up by Elected Members (cross party
including Scrutiny)
Acceptance of Management of risk
Support from peers
Role of Principal Child and Family Social
Worker
Role of Partners, CAMH, Internal Audit
Consultation Process
Difficult messages to manage
Not as good as we thought we were on
outcomes for children and families
Over reliance on assessment, poor on
intervention
Very limited direct work with children
Most direct work undertaken by unqualified
staff
Managing cases via a computer.
Now
Understanding that we were not configured to
deliver best possible service
Acknowledgement of need for change
Embracing RSW model as saw the potential
Evidence based practice and giving
practitioners the tools to do the job.
Reduction in management and investment in
practitioners
Reduction in unqualified staff
Current position
Interviewed and appointed 26 CSWs and 6
clinicians
All CSWs on bespoke systemic practice
training
Populated the units
All staff aware of where they will be working
6 month roll out
Jan 16th – first 5 day induction
Jan 23rd - first 4 units go live
Evaluation – partnership with
CLAHRC.
Managing the transition
Very carefully, ensuring baton not dropped
No-one allowed to say ‘not my job’
Regular communication – 2 way
Weekly visiting front-line staff
Attention to detail
What made it work
(so far!)
Committed and motivated management
team
Enthusiastic and engaged front-line staff
Excellent project manager and team
DCS / Leader / CEX / Lead Member
support
Munro + CWDC (timing)
MLA!