SOCIAL work chiefs have insisted that solid progress is being made in helping to give vulnerable children a good start in life in the Stewartry.
Dumfries and Galloway Council’s social work bosses have provided the latest six-month performance update for April 1 to September 30, 2022.
In a report for Stewartry area committee, several key achievements of the children and families section of social work department were highlighted.
There are now less children subject to legal orders, with more on voluntary plans and collaborating with social workers.
Families are being successfully supported with safety planning when there are significant dangers present, such as domestic violence.
The social work update report continues: “We have made good progress with plans for permanence for children, either for a return home or progressing to permanence with adoptive or foster carers.
“The team are very supportive of each other and work well with partner agencies including third sector providers.”
However, the social work department admitted that this is still a “challenging time” due to a shortage of social workers and failing to recruit to vacant social work posts.
The report also detailed how a team of social workers are based in the Stewartry, and they are also supported by two workers from the family support service, who provide early years support to families and assist in complex cases for kids.
The report states: “We had referrals for 468 children in Stewartry during 2022-2023. We are currently working with a total of 382 children in the west, this includes 89 children that are either on legal orders or subject to child protection plans and 293 that we work with on a voluntary basis.”
