By Sammie Jones-
The British government’s announcement of a £36m funding to support 11 children’s social care projects across England must improve practices in children’s social services.
The funding, directly from the Department for Education’s £200m children’s social care innovation fund is aimed at helping disadvantaged children, particularly those from families of domestic violence
The money from Whitehall is also expected to help children who have suffered serious sexual abuse. The money must deliver results and not be squandered recklessly. Social workers have in past times demonstrated negligence by failing to devote the required time to addressing issues surrounding children; many times allowing problems to continue.
Ministers are optimistic the money will develop best practice and boost the quality of support for children. This is yet to be seen. The announcement comes along the publication of evaluations for 10 projects already funded through the latest round of funding,
The investment will cover Luton, Peterborough, Bracknell, Forest and West Berkshire.
The Family Rights Group has been awarded £5 million to develop a model to create life-long support networks for children and young people in care called ‘Lifelong Links’.
TRANSFORMATION
Northamptonshire council is one of the 11 boroughs to benefit from the financial boost, and has received £4 million to help establish its children’s services trust. The department of education has also awarded £1.4m to Slough children’s services trust to support its transformation programme.
SAFEGUARDING
Hackney council has been awarded £2 million to test ‘contextual safeguarding theory’, and Havering councill has been given £2.4 million to offer a multi-agency service 11-24 year olds. The financial injection is a great boost to children services, who can do with all the money they can get to help children services.
Other boroughs are expected to receive some money, though there are speculations as to whether any boroughs will be left out, and why.