Colin Tucker, Birmingham’s head of Children’s Social Care, talks about his work improving the service.
Reflected a lot on how we should approach inspections. I recognise it is not all about Ofsted but when you are in special measures it does assume a significance and whilst there are risks, I hope we can maintain a relaxed approach with growing confidence that we are doing most things right.
We have the fostering inspection in January – met and talked with a large no of carers this week and tried to raise their morale, get them considering how they can make a bigger contribution to our recovery and improving children’s outcomes – no doubt we will face a full two week Ofsted inspection in early spring.
Last week was a watershed and gave us a lot to build on but it is only a start, albeit a good one. Interesting how authorities approach Ofsted and I think we have been vindicated in being open and sharing with them our own understanding of challenges. They did, after all, say we know ourselves well.
Radio 4 followed me for a day and I thought the staff response was brilliant. They spoke with honesty and passion about their role and the day-to-day issues that make their job both complex and interesting.
The journalist, Andrew Bomford, was impressed that many of the issues they raised were couched in constructive terms and reflected national issues. This included some powerful observations about how restricted in terms of statutory power the social worker involved in the Baby Peter case actually was. Hopefully Radio 4 broadcast captured some of this. Made me reflect on the need to now move the media strategy on to drawing a line under the past and focusing more on the positives.
This will ease the pressure I feel almost on a daily basis to criticise senior leadership colleagues and previous encumbrance of my position because to do so is now rather facile.
We really do have to start believing in ourselves more and taking initiative throughout our department. Just off to do my own Rapid Improvement Workshop with DLT colleagues and it is helpful that I am going to use the only priority area identified by Ofsted. This is focused on multi-agency services and the effectiveness or otherwise of our partnership arrangements – much more relevant than just discussing social work.
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Heard your radio 4 slot…..you make lots of sense and long may it continue.
As a general comment, proof reading and less abbreviations in your blog would be good!