By George Lythgoe, Local Democracy Reporting Service
MORE QUESTIONS are being asked about Tameside Council’s ‘inadequate’ children’s services department – and that is a good thing,
For commissioner Andy Couldrick, brought in to examine why it has been failing and how it can change, feels proper scrutiny is finally starting to take place.
In his latest report, he believes a year to make significant improvement has been ‘lost’ because of ‘profound weaknesses.’
He also described how an ‘apparent acceptance that inadequate service is acceptable’ is ‘the Tameside way.’
But at a meeting of the authority’s children’s services scrutiny panel, he did describe evidence it can finally live up to its name.
Mr Couldrick said: “One of the ways I test my sense is by talking with staff all over the organisation.
“The messages I get today are very different to what I was getting three months ago.
“This is about the visibility of senior leaders and politicians and a sense of an ability to question and challenge where it never felt easy previously.
“I think there is a triangulated sense of a change about the culture.”
Children’s services in Tameside have been in the spotlight for failures, toxicity and having an oppressive and bullying culture.
In this latest instalment, Mr Couldrick’s assessment spoke of workforce challenges, unstable leadership and a poor quality of practice – but this was expected by the new hierarchy overseeing the so-called improvement journey.
But the commissioner does feel the positive changes brought in by the new director of children’s services, Jill Colbert, and the new leadership at the council have provided ‘grounds for optimism and confidence’.
Quality of practice, quality of support from other services, and the stepping up from partners (like the police and NHS) to help are key to making key changes, he told the scrutiny committee.
He added how ‘the Tameside way’ is being addressed.
Ms Colbert was described as approachable to all levels of staff. However, the commissioner’s report went on to say: “The inconsistent and churning management and leadership I described in my first report remains an issue.
“Achieving stability in this area is an absolute requirement in order to see the workforce grow in stability, in skill, in safety and in confidence.”
And he told the latest town hall meeting he expects not to be writing anything about a legacy of toxicity again, because he is already seeing change.
Tameside Council’s executive member for children and families, Cllr Teresa Smith said: “As a council, we welcome the latest commissioner’s update report and although this was a private report, we wanted to make this public to be fully transparent and include everyone in our children’s services improvement journey.
“The report recognises that while we are still in the early stages, positive steps have been taken – we are particularly encouraged by the report’s view that there are clear grounds for confidence that progress across children’s services will become increasingly evident.
“There are already signs of meaningful change, including a strong start in resetting the culture within our workforce – an essential foundation for delivering the best outcomes for children and families.
“Our director of children’s services, Jill Colbert OBE, has been commended for her visible and engaging leadership, which is helping to rebuild trust and strengthen relationships.
“We fully acknowledge that further improvements are needed, and I’m pleased the report acknowledges our commitment to work collaboratively with families and partners to achieve that.
“Our focus remains firmly on delivering safe, high-quality services for children and families in Tameside and I’d like to thank our staff for their hard work and commitment as collectively, we build a Children’s Services that our community can be proud of.”