Council officers informed members that they are still unable to verify whether the substantial reorganisation of support for children and families has produced the intended outcomes, though initial signs indicate progress is being made.
The assessment occurred as councillors reviewed the children and families services transformation that commenced in August the prior year.
Previously in Torfaen, social workers were allocated across four area-based teams serving particular geographic districts, together with a unit for disabled children and another for those aged 16 and over. The new arrangement instead structures teams according to a child’s position within the care and support system.
The earlier model attempted to guarantee families retained the same social worker throughout their engagement, though recruitment and retention challenges frequently prevented this from occurring. Members were informed that the council’s ability to hire experienced social workers has strengthened, and social workers who previously worked in adult services have rejoined children’s services.
When councillors requested the main lesson from the reorganisation, Jacalyn Richards, the council’s head of children and family services, observed that she questioned why such changes had not been implemented earlier.
She stated that it remains too soon to establish what impact the restructuring has had, adding that she believes at least another 12 to 18 months is necessary to evaluate this properly.
She advised the council’s children and families scrutiny committee that managers are continuously monitoring team performance and implementing adjustments, such as assigning a social worker within the team specifically for dealing with referrals concerning children aged 15 and over, which varied from the original role specification.
She noted that the council is not waiting the full 12 to 18 months if an issue is identified; improvements and refinements are being made on an ongoing basis.
Ms Richards reported that since last year’s changes, favourable feedback had been received from the independent body responsible for reviewing children in care. She explained that although the council did not specifically request their opinion on the reorganisation, they were highly positive about it, commenting on improved outcomes for children, reduced delays, and enhanced care planning, which aligned precisely with the council’s objectives.
Service changes involved relocating the young carers support team to the Care and Support and Disabled Children’s Team. Manager Kirsty Cook clarified that this arrangement allows the young carers’ social worker to share workload with the wider team when necessary. Ms Richards emphasised that support standards were in no way diminished.
The team for young people aged 16 and over was extended to include age 15 to better prepare children for independent living. Manager Claire Warlock characterised this change as having performed quite well.
Ms Richards also noted that the council has collaborated with Crystal Pathways to work with expectant parents, with the goal of reducing the number of newborns requiring care at birth and decreasing reliance on expensive residential assessment facilities.
This two-year contract is funded through the Welsh Government’s radical reform grant, with the council intending to assess its effectiveness during this period to inform future funding decisions.
The reorganisation, which the committee had previously been advised would not result in job losses, saw 90 percent of staff assigned to teams matching their first preference. The remaining staff underwent a competitive process to join their chosen team or accept their second option. Ms Richards commented that even those placed in teams that were not their first choice have adapted well and are performing positively.
The service operates from the fifth floor of the Civic Centre in Pontypool, with managers indicating this has improved collaboration between teams.
The committee endorsed the reorganisation and the evaluation plan for the expectant parents service.