Children’s social care services are almost always negatively depicted in headlines. However, this is far from the case for Durham. Here, the council talks us through how their services keep advancing.
‘We used to be on the outside looking in; now we are very much behind the wheel driving things forward alongside leaders.’ These are the words of a young person who has been supported by Durham County Council, which is celebrating after being rated ‘Outstanding’ for the services it delivers to children and young people.
Image: Durham’s children’s social care services team.
The local authority received the grading by Ofsted following a recent inspection of its services for children who need help and protection, children in care, and care leavers.
Having gone up from ‘Good’ in 2022, inspectors praised the council for keeping children at the heart of everything it does, which officials noted led to ‘the development of highly effective services that are having a lasting impact on the lives of many children, particularly children in care and care leavers.’
The report highlighted the influence and participation that children have in the development of the service, with senior and political leaders listening and learning from children, staff and carers.
This has resulted in the creation of a culture where children and the workforce come first, leading to an outward-facing and innovative service that is meeting the needs of children and families to a high standard.
John Pearce, Durham County Council’s corporate director of children and young people’s services, said: ‘We are absolutely delighted to have been rated as Outstanding and to read the overwhelmingly positive things highlighted by inspectors in the report.
‘As a local authority and the ‘corporate parent’ of children and young people, we strive to put those we support at the heart of what we do and shape the delivery of our services around their needs and outcomes. We’re pleased that this work has shone through during the inspection, and we will continue to work hard for our children and young people.’
Ofsted also highlighted that the authority’s emotional well-being offer has been shaped and influenced by care leavers themselves.
This includes the Next Venture Fund – an annual budget going directly to a group of care leavers to help them develop areas of the service.
The fund has been used to introduce ‘wellbeing bags’ for care leavers, monthly craft sessions and wellbeing walks. Members of the care leavers group told inspectors how much they valued this level of connection, and the trust leaders have in them to manage their own service budget.
Care leavers added that they have strong and caring relationships with workers and view them as extended family. Similarly, personal advisers for care leavers told inspectors they had a deep sense of pride.
Social workers told inspectors that the authority is a great place to work with a sense of belonging that made the council their employer of choice.
There are lots of opportunities within County Durham for a career in social work and children’s services, as well as other public sector roles. The council’s highly supportive teams, range of service areas, and excellent career pathways offer rewarding careers in which people can make a real difference and drive positive change.
What’s more, employees also have great access to the benefits of living or working in the county. It offers easy access to other parts of the country by rail from Durham, ‘Good’ and ‘Outstanding’ primary and secondary school provision and low house prices, as well as rich outdoor spaces from coast to the countryside.
For more information about a career in children’s services in County Durham, or jobs in the wider public sector, visit here.
Images via Durham County Council
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