Agencies and communities in the Western Isles are very effective in providing help to children and young people when they need it, states an HMIE report into Child Protection services in the Islands. Agencies and communities are also effective in working together to keep children and young people safe, says the report.

An inspection was carried out in May of this year covering the range of services and staff working in the Western Isles who have a role in protecting children: local authority staff in Social Work and Education, NHS Western Isles, Northern Constabulary and the Scottish Children’s Reporter Adminstration. The activities of voluntary and independent organisations were also inspected. The inspection is part of a three year HMIE programme being carried out into Child Protection Services in all local authority areas in Scotland. The Western Isles is the thirteenth area to be inspected.

Inspectors found the following key strengths in how well children were protected and their needs met in the Western Isles.

• Consistent and trusting relationships between staff and children.

• The prompt and effective response provided by police, social work and health when children are thought to be at risk.

• Support provided by services to help extended families care for their children.

• Multi-agency training which has led to increased awareness, confidence and competence among staff who have received it.

• The leadership and direction provided by the Child Protection Committee.

The report is divided into 18 quality indicators of services. The Western Isles received 11 good or very good ratings and 6 adequate ratings whilst operational planning was deemed to be weak. There were no unsatisfactory categories.

Malcolm Burr, Chief Executive of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Chair of the Child Protection Committee Chief Officers Strategy Group, said: “I welcome the publication of this report and particularly welcome the recognition by the Inspectors of the key strengths in Child Protection Services in the Western Isles. Nevertheless the Comhairle and its partner agencies will not be complacent and we will strive to improve services. That ongoing process will continue with the drawing up of an action plan to meet the recommendations of the report and to improve services for children and young people in the Islands.”

The report found that public awareness of the safety and protection of children and young people is very good as are the actions taken in immediate response to concerns about children and young people.

 Inspector Philip Macrae of Northern Constabulary said: “We welcome the HMIE’s inspection report on Child Protection Services in Western Isles.

“The report recognises the high priority placed on child protection on the island and the commitment of individuals across all agencies in ensuring that children are well protected.

“A strong collaborative relationship between social work, education, health, voluntary sector and Police services is at the heart of effective action to protect children, in the exceptional circumstances where this is necessary.

“We are pleased that HMIE has recognised the positive impact of this in the Western Isles.”

Other key strengths identified in the report were;

• Children and young people are listened to, understood and respected,
• Children and young people benefit from strategies to minimise harm
• Children’s and young people’s needs are met
• Children, young people and their families are involved in key processes,
• Planning is effective in meeting needs.

Other strengths identified included, Policies and procedures, Recruitment and retention of staff, Development of staff and Leadership and direction.

Jane Adams, Director of Nursing, Midwifery and AHPs, NHS Western Isles said: “We are pleased to note the positive comments that the inspectors have made and we join with our colleagues in continuing our efforts to improve in areas that have been highlighted in the report. We consider the collaboration with our partners to be very important in addressing these crucial matters, and welcome opportunities to continue with this work.”

Areas of service rated as adequate were:

• Information sharing and recording
• Recognising and assessing risks and needs
• Participation of children, young people families and other relevant people in policy development
• Values, vision and aims
• Leadership of people and partnerships
• Leadership of change and improvement.

Cllr. Morag Munro, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s Chair of Education and Children’s Services, said: “The Western Isles remains one of the safest parts of the UK but it is essential that we continue to provide good services to protect children in our communities. Child protection is a key priority for the Education and Children’s Services Committee and this report will assist us in service development and improvement”.

Dr. Louise Scott, Chair of the multi-agency Western Isles Child Protection Committee said; "We are positive about this report and pleased that HMIe have identified some key strengths. An action plan will now be prepared indicating how agencies in the Western Isles will address the recommendations made by HMIE”.

Nigel Scott
Communications Officer
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk