Proposed changes include developing early-help delivery models and creating a family help service, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

Barnet residents are being invited to help shape the future of children’s social care.

Changes being proposed include developing early-help delivery models, and creating a family help service, which involves staff working with a more joined-up approach.

Local multi-agency children protection teams (MACPTs) will also be established and consist of a social care, police, health and education professional undertaking “statutory child protection investigations and interventions”. They will also be a “local and accessible” source of expertise.

Children’s services support children, young people and families who need additional help and protection from harm. The main aim is to keep families together, but when this isn’t possible, social care provides alternative homes.

Barnet Council is consulting on its service following the government’s “major reset” of the social care system in November. There will be a new emphasis on early intervention, new powers to Ofsted to issue civil fines to providers, and a crackdown on private companies profiting off substandard placements for vulnerable children.

The consultation, which began last month, will run until 31st July.

What residents think is working well, what they think of the local team structure, and whether there are opportunities for better integration is up for discussion.

One survey is aimed at parents and carers and asks what gets in the way of the “right support” being given “at the right time” and how the service can make parents and carers feel “more included in decisions”.

The survey for staff, such as social workers and practitioners, as well as social care partners, asks for thoughts on the reforms as well as what would make them more “confident and prepared” for the upcoming changes.

Participants can email their views as well as fill in a survey.

For further information and to take part in the consultation:
Visit Children and Families Social Care Reforms consultation

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