A joint inspection of services in the Glasgow city community planning partnership has found important strengths in ensuring children and young people at risk of harm are safe, protected and supported. Some areas for improvement were also identified.
Inspectors noted that through the child poverty programme, partners had embedded a collaborative culture of prioritising and addressing child poverty. They delivered a range of creative approaches to address the issue which had a positive impact on the safety and wellbeing of families.
Family support services were effectively delivered through an innovative long-term collaborative partnership with the third sector.
A breadth of services was being provided to meet the complex needs and risks experienced by children, young people and families. However, not all families received timely help, particularly due to some services closing or functioning with long waiting lists.
Most children and young people felt safer as a result of caring relationships with staff. However, not all children, young people and families were effectively involved in meetings and some children and young people experienced barriers to expressing their views.
Staff had a well-developed understanding of emerging community-based risks facing young people. Despite the efforts of staff involved, however, some young people remained at risk of harm in their communities, particularly if they were at risk of criminal exploitation.
The quality and consistency of a range of key protective processes required improvement. Multi-agency quality assurance of key processes was not routinely taking place.
Collaborative leadership was a key strength, and leaders prioritised preventative approaches despite the pressure to make financial savings. Glasgow partners alone did not have the resources required to fully address the impact of child poverty, deprivation and the housing crisis in the city.
Jackie Irvine, Chief Executive of the Care Inspectorate, said: “The Care Inspectorate and our scrutiny partners are confident that the partnership in Glasgow City has the capacity to make changes to service delivery in the areas that require improvement and in which they can directly influence change.
“We will request a joint action plan that clearly details how the partnership will make improvements in the key areas identified by inspectors. We will continue to offer support for improvement and monitor progress through our linking arrangements.”
The full report can be read here.