By Charlotte Webster
Hull Council children’s services will be monitored following grave concerns children under its care are at risk that has irreversibly damaged lives.
Following the inadequate rating in May 2019 that concluded the progress and experiences of children to have “significantly declined”, the council ihas taking big steps to address its big problem. The shamed council a few days ago announced an injection of £4.4m to correct the woeful conduct of its children’s services. This could be a case of too little too late because of the irreversible damage done to many.
One young female teenager from Hull who cannot be named claims to have been raped by a male teenager she met whilst staying with a friend because of domestic violence occurring between her parents at home. She was due to be put in foster care, but the process was delayed leading her to stay with a male friend whom she says eventually raped her.
Her story is complicated by the fact she admits initially dating him and sleeping with him consensually about out four occasions before she was raped.
”When you have nowhere to stay, you will stay wherever is open to you. My mum and dad were always at each other’s throat . It was so bad that I could hardly sleep at night. The strange thing is that she had a go at me whenever I confronted him. They were both always drunk and high on drugs and eventually my mum kicked me out.
I ended up with this bloke because I was staying at his house. If I did not sleep with him, I would have ended up on the streets. The day I decided I did not want to sleep with him anymore he forced himself on me. It was my word against his, so he was never taken to court.
I ended up in someone else’s house and this time thought I might as well just sleep with them every time they asked to avoid being on the streets”.Social workers were in many cases too overburdened with workload and in many cases very careless in their supervision of delicate cases involving children.
We confirmed that many children who were previously not on drugs turned to drugs because of bad company and lack of proper regulation. www
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Only last year, 24 new social worker posts expected in a bid to fill up vacancies and reduce the workload of social workers over the next few months. Ofsted’s recent criticism of leaders for failing to analyse the rising trend necessary to help them respond appropriately and address the underlying issues.
Ofsted criticised the council for allowing too many children to come into care in an emergency despite many of these children being known to social services. Inspectors went far to state that some children do not come into care quickly enough, and are left at risk at home.
The report reveals that managers at the council took immediate action to protect children after inspectors raised concerns about their welfare during the visit. Inspectors also warned that caseloads for children’s social workers have increased, and are now actually higher than they were at the last full inspection i
It criticised the council for insufficient local homes for children in care to suit their needs and that some children live in unsuitable and unregulated homes. Niki Clemo, former chief executive of Slough Children’s Services Trust, will take on the role of director of children’s services, and all child protection cases are in the process of being reviewed.
The Eye Of Media.Com will periodically keep track of the council’s progress and keep regular touch with Stephen Brady, the leader of Hull City Council , who will also work closely with the Department for Education, and regional children’s services networks in other authorities so that it can benefit from their support, experience and expertise.
Stephen Brady, leader of Hull City Council:
” I am comfident we have the right leadership, expertise and resources to support our staff and partners to make the improvements needed and deliver the best services we can and that Hull’s children and families deserve. We are determined to see speedy progress which is why we have already committed £4.4m to support children in need of care”