Council leader Philip Jackson has praised the area’s social workers, who tirelessly support and safeguard children.
His remarks follow the issuing of a letter to the authority from Ofsted, outlining its findings during a focussed visit to Children’s Services in October.
The service is facing pressure; when the Conservatives took control of the council in May, it immediately invested £2-million. More recently, Steve Kay, the director of the service, left his post.
Speaking at this week’s full council meeting at Cleethorpes Town Hall, Councillor Jackson said: “We now know the scale of the challenge currently faced by our children’s services. The Cabinet has committed significant investment to the improvement programme, and we expect to see a return on that investment.
“We appreciate that the issues are complex, and the required improvements will take time. It is reassuring to note already that average social worker caseloads are coming down, leadership and management is stabilizing, and performance management is improving.
“I want to commend the Portfolio Holder and the Deputy Chief Executive for the work they are doing and the pace at which they are doing it to bring about the positive changes required.
“We are fully engaged with Ofsted and the Department for Education on this agenda and an Improvement Board will maintain oversight and challenge of the improvement plan.
“I also want to pay tribute to each and every one of our social workers. They work tirelessly to support and safeguard children and families in this borough, in the context of significant demand and personal strain. On behalf of all members, I extend our thanks and appreciation to them.”
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