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Proposals for new Cardiff Children's Services Strategy 2019 - 2022

A new three-year strategy to deliver excellent outcomes in Children’s Services, will be considered by the Local Authority’s Cabinet when it meets on Thursday, 11 July. 

If agreed, Cardiff Children's Services Strategic Plan 2019-2022 will bring together a range of service improvement projects under the creation of one programme; ‘Delivering Excellent Outcomes in Children's Services'. It supports delivery of other well-established Council commitments such as the Corporate Parenting Plan, the Council's Capital Ambition and Cardiff's Child Friendly City Strategy which places the rights of children and young people at the heart of its policies and decision making.

The strategy sets out Cardiff's key challenges and, building on improvements already underway, commits to the delivery of a programme of ambitious activity. These improvements will be delivered, together with partners, over the next three years and include:

-         Supporting and developing our workforce to address recruitment and retention of staff.

-         Continuing the roll out of an enhanced Early Help Service and ensuring children and young people are aware of their rights as part of Cardiff's commitment to becoming a UNICEF Child Friendly City.

-         Improving the way family's access advice, assistance and support.

-         Following the child on their journey and ensuring that the child is always at the centre of all the changes we make.

-         Continuing the development of our regional and local safeguarding arrangements, ensuring the workforce have access to appropriate training.

-         Work with the Regional Adoption Collaborative to safely improve our adoption procedures

-         Ensure consistent successful transition into adulthood and independent living 

 

Cabinet Member for Children and Families, Cllr Graham Hinchey said: "This strategy sets out the context in which Children's Services are operating and the key challenges we face which include increasing demand and complexity, pressures on budgets and the increasing range of legislation, regulations, policy and guidance that must be observed.

"Importantly, the strategy also details the improvements we commit to delivering to progress the best outcomes for children and young people, building on our strengths and ensuring the right support is available at the right time.

"We know that Cardiff is already a good place for many children and young people to grow up: we have good health services, low crime rate, strong inclusive communities and access to green spaces, sport and culture. However, we want to ensure that all our children are safe and protected, making our city an even better place to live so that every child and young person can fulfil their potential and lead a safe, happy and healthy life."