Sefton Councilâs Childrenâs Services have welcomed colleagues from Leeds City Council to launch the two-year, Family Valued partnership.
Secured through a successful, ÂŁ3 million Council bid to the Department for Education, the partnership will see the two authorities working together to improve outcomes for local children and families.
Importance of family
Family Valued is an approach that focuses on the strengths and importance of family and is centred on productive working relationships between practitioners and families. Its impact in Leeds has included a reduction in the rate and number of cared for children, as well as fewer child protection plans. As a result of children spending less time âin the social work system,â it has also meant a saving of ÂŁ755 per family compared to âbusiness as usualâ social work.
Almost 200 of Sefton Childrenâs Social Care team were able to attend the recent two-day, introductory sessions, which included an introduction from Seftonâs new Director of Education and Childrenâs Services, Martin Birch.
Conditions for success
In a presentation, Steve Walker, Leeds City Councilâs Director of Strengthening Families, Protecting Children said that the Family Valued approach is not ârocket scienceâ. He said it is about getting the basics right and âcreating the conditions for successâ which means the right culture and ethos, leadership and partnership and workforce and practice.
Each of the sessions included group and the opportunity to put forward ideas for a name for Seftonâs own version of Leeds Family Valued. The suggestion will be shared with Seftonâs Making a Difference group, a group of care experienced young people, and Seftonâs Young Ambassadors group.
The next step will be for Childrenâs Services teams to take part in restorative practice training sessions that focus on strengthening relationships between people and the social connections with members of the local community.
Positive feedback
After the launch events, Martin Birch said: âI am delighted we have got this new Family Valued partnership with Leeds underway as it will build upon the improvement work already started as we respond to the recent Ofsted recommendations by learning and delivering better results for children, young people and their families in Sefton.
âFeedback to the introductory sessions was very positive and included comments such as âit was just what we needed to focus and motivate us all on our way upâ and âI came out excited for the months/years ahead,â.
âOur staff are ready to take on the challenges we face and determined to achieve success for all of our children, young people and families.â
Impressed
Steve Walker, Leeds City Councilâs Director of Strengthening Families, Protecting Children said: âWe are delighted to be working with colleagues in Sefton to implement Family Valued.
âI have been impressed by the commitment that I have seen from elected members, partners and staff across Childrenâs Services to work together relationally to ensure that children and young people in Sefton have the opportunities they need and deserve to reach their potential.â
Unprecedented
Cllr Mhairi Doyle MBE, Cabinet Member for Childrenâs Social Care, said: âAdopting the Family Valued approach, combined with the significant extra resources we have allocated to Childrenâs Services in Sefton, will play a significant role in helping us to deal with the unprecedented demand we have seen since the pandemic.
âWhile we do, of course acknowledge our Ofsted rating and the need to improve it, our focus must be on ensuring Seftonâs children and young people benefit from the best services possible.
âWe are committed to making sure they are safe, protected and inspired to reach their full potential and this weekâs events are an important step on that path.â
by generous donations from the Crosby and District Lions. Sefton 4 Goodâs Sefton Ukraine Welcome Appeal and Crosby Methodist Circuitâs Ukraine Welcome Centre have both received ÂŁ245 from the club.
