Issue - meetings

The Chair of the Performance Scrutiny Working Group, Councillor Matthew Dormer, presented a report setting out a proposal for an After Care Social Worker to be provided with a base to work at Redditch Town Hall.  He explained that the group had interviewed representatives of Redditch Borough Council’s Housing Department about arrangements for housing care leavers in July 2017. The group had felt that this was an appropriate subject for scrutiny in light of recent developments in respect of Children’s Social Care Services.  Members had learned that all of the county’s After Care Social Workers were currently based in Worcester.  There was office space in the Housing Option’s team’s offices in Redditch Town Hall that could accommodate an After Care Social Worker and this would enable young people leaving care in Redditch to have access to this worker as soon as possible where needed.

During consideration of this matter Members also made reference to the minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 7^th September when this subject had been considered and it was noted that the Committee had endorsed the recommendation.

Members welcomed this proposal as an action that could be taken to enhance the support available to young people in the Borough.  Members also noted that there were social workers operating from GP Practices indicating that it was possible for staff to work from a base outside central offices in Worcester.

RECOMMENDED to Worcestershire County Council that

an After Care Social Worker should be provided with a base to work in the Housing Options team’s office at Redditch Town Hall in order to work with care leavers in Redditch.