CLACKMANNANSHIRE COUNCIL has drawn up a proposed action plan to tackle its deficiencies in supporting vulnerable children in the area.

Earlier this year, the Care Inspectorate conducted an unfavourable review of the children’s services within the Clackmannanshire Community Planning Partnership (CCPP).

Among the five major recommendations cited in their report, inspectors voiced concerns over the service’s inability to assess risks facing vulnerable children, while failing to provide adequate support and protection to those in need.

It also noted a fault in the partnership’s response to some cases of immediate harm, while highlighting the fact some of those agencies involved demonstrated a lack of understanding as to the impact of abuse and neglect on young people.

In response, the head of social services at Clackmannanshire Council developed a detailed action plan to address these concerns and improve the overall support available for vulnerable youngsters in the area.

High on the list of steps to take are implementation of training into risk assessments and into the impact of abuse and neglect on children, along with the delivery of an awareness programme across the agencies involved.

Increased measures regarding parental support are also to be introduced, along with the development of ‘more appropriate tools’ to measure the impact experienced by children living with parents who suffer from mental health or substance misuse.

After the inspection held earlier this year, the team lead by Joan Lafferty published a series of recommendations in May.

It concluded: “Based on the findings of this inspection we are not confident in the quality and effectiveness of services to protect children.

“There are still important weaknesses in the initial response to children and young people in need of protection and processes to assess risks and needs.

“As a result some children and young people may be left in situations which place them at risk or without sufficient support to improve their wellbeing.” The inspection also noted that some children who experienced abuse had not had a risk assessment carried out, with ‘significant delays’ recorded in this area.

The report added: “The response to emerging or accumulating concerns about a child or young person’s wellbeing over a longer period of time is not sufficiently robust.

“For example, staff across services do not always understand or appreciate the impact of chronic neglect or living with domestic abuse.” The CCPP action plan was discussed at the council’s housing, health and care committee meeting last Thursday evening.