Barnet (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Barnet Council is calling on residents to help shape the future of children’s social care through a new consultation aimed at improving local services.
Developing early-assistance delivery models and establishing a family help service, which entails staff members working with a more coordinated approach, are two of the planned changes.
Additionally, local multi-agency children protection teams (MACPTs) will be formed, including professionals from social services, law enforcement, health, and education conducting “statutory child protection investigations and interventions.” Additionally, they will be a “local and accessible” source of knowledge.
Children’s services assist families, children, and youth that require extra support and safety. While keeping families together is the primary goal, social care offers alternate housing when this isn’t feasible.
Following the government’s “major reset” of the social care system in November, Barnet Council is seeking feedback on its service. Early intervention will be given more importance, Ofsted will have the authority to sanction providers civilly, and private companies that benefit from placing vulnerable children in subpar settings will be targeted.
The consultation is scheduled to conclude on July 31st, having started last month.
Discussion topics include what the locals believe is effective, how they feel about the structure of the local team, and whether there are chances for improved integration.
Parents and carers are asked in one survey what prevents the “right support” from being provided “at the right time” and how the service can help them feel “more included in decisions.”
In addition to asking for opinions on the reforms, the poll for staff members—including social workers, practitioners, and social care partners—also asks what would help them feel more “confident and prepared” for the changes that are coming up.
In addition to completing a survey, participants can email their opinions.
Visit Children and Families Social Care Reforms consultation | Engage Barnet for more details and to participate in the consultation.
How will resident feedback influence Barnet’s social care reforms?
In order to co-produce strategies and service designs, Barnet regularly engages residents, including those with lived experience, carers, and underrepresented groups.
In order to ensure that reforms reflect actual needs and objectives, more than 300 people contributed to the development of the adult social care engagement and co-production plan.
The council gathers and incorporates a variety of input into planning and ongoing development, including surveys, grievances, praise, and audits. This aids in determining what aspects of services—like staff training, communication, and accessibility—need improvement and what functions effectively.
These resident groups take part in hiring and training social workers, evaluate services on a regular basis, and help shape improvements (such as reablement and wheelchair services).
Their involvement guarantees that reforms are based on real-world experiences and pragmatic considerations.