The Jersey Care Commission, which is responsible for overseeing the quality of care provided to Islanders either in their own homes (domiciliary care) or in key care services (care homes, children’s homes and adult day care services), has commissioned the independent review following the findings of the inquiry which included that some children may still be at risk.
And last month, Children’s Commissioner Deborah McMillan said that improvements to the lives of young people are not happening quickly enough.
Glenn Houston, chair of the Jersey Care Commission, said that the inquiry’s report was ‘striking’ and that he and his team must investigate the reasons for the findings.
He also echoed concerns raised by Mrs McMillan about the over-reliance on agency staff to provide children’s social care.
‘I was very struck by the findings of Frances Oldham [chair of the inquiry panel] that she felt some aspects of services to children remained unsafe,’ he said. ‘When you have someone who has undertaken such a major piece of work coming to that conclusion it prompts the commission to try to understand what led her to that conclusion.’
He added that the review will focus on the services provided to children and young people in the care of the States and the way in which children are referred to the service. The inspection will also look at the outcomes for children and the support given to young people as they leave the care system.
Mr Houston said: ‘We hope the report will tell us what is working, but more importantly what is not working and what needs improvement.
‘We will need to consider the challenges in the workforce and the reliance on agency staff. There are some very good social workers within agency staff but the child doesn’t have the benefit of continuing contact with someone who knows them and their circumstances.’
He added that finding ways to attract and retain social workers to Jersey was a key focus for departments working with young people.
As well as school inspections, Ofsted also regulates children’s social care services, making sure they’re suitable for children and vulnerable young people. The Jersey Care Commission has said that the review and its findings will help update the framework for independent regulation of health and social care services in the Island.
Lisa Pascoe, deputy director of social care policy said: ‘This inspection will focus on the quality and impact of work on the Island to ensure that children are helped, protected and cared for. We will set out clearly what is going well and where more attention is needed.’
Chief Minister Ian Gorst handed over responsibility for Children’s Services to States Chief Executive Charlie Parker following the concerns about the pace of change. Ministerial responsibility for the service has remained with Health Minister Andrew Green.
