Children’s social care services in Flintshire continue to develop and improve

Flintshire County Council Children’s Social Services has welcomed a recent improvement check conducted by Care Inspectorate Wales.

The check, which focused on areas identified during the last full inspection in November 2023, found solid progress reflecting the Council’s commitment to delivering high-quality support for children and families.

CIW inspectors highlighted continuous improvement in leadership, safeguarding practices, workforce stability, and the quality of care and support provided to children and families. Building on a positive inspection in 2023, CIW tracked progress in specific identified areas for development and found evidence of progress to embed practices to ensure sustained improvement.

Sarah Grant, Senior Manager of Children’s Services, said:

“We are very pleased with the outcome of this improvement check, which confirms the progress we’ve made since the last inspection,”

“While the previous report acknowledged that our services were already performing well, it also gave us helpful recommendations to strengthen our practice even further.

"Over the past months, our teams have worked with real focus and care to embed those improvements, and it’s encouraging to see that CIW has recognised the impact of that work. Our priority remains the same: to provide safe, responsive, and high-quality support to children and families. This report reflects the dedication of our staff and the strength of our partnerships, and we’re committed to continuing this positive journey.”

Key highlights from the CIW report include:

Strengthened leadership and governance, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

“Leaders promote a positive culture through compassionate leadership, with a strong emphasis on workforce development. A passionate and well-supported workforce is in place to deliver services to children and families.”

Improved workforce stability, with increased recruitment and retention of skilled social workers and reduced reliance on agency staff.

“87% of respondents to a practitioner survey would recommend working in Flintshire.”

Enhanced accommodation support, contributing to a reduction in homelessness among young people leaving care.

“A strong focus on improving accommodation has contributed to a recent reduction in homelessness among young people leaving care.”

Early help and preventative services, including support for children with neurodiversity.

“There is strategic focus on enhancing identification of children and families who may benefit from support sooner.”

“A range of early help and preventative options are available to support children and families, including children diagnosed with neurodiversity or awaiting assessment.”

CIW commended a positive collaborative approach, noting strong multi-agency partnerships that have contributed to more holistic and effective support for children. 

Looking ahead, the report identifies the need to build on momentum to further develop and embed sustained improvement tackling specific areas to enhance and strengthen practice and service provision.

Councillor Christine Jones, Cabinet member for Social Services, said:

"This latest CIW improvement check is a strong endorsement of the steady and thoughtful progress we’ve made as a service. While the last inspection highlighted some areas for development, it also recognised the solid foundations already in place. I’m proud to say that we’ve built on those strengths and responded proactively to every recommendation.

"The improvements we’ve made are already making a real difference to children and families, and that’s what matters most. Our staff have shown incredible dedication and professionalism, and this report reflects their commitment to continuous improvement and high-quality care. We’ll continue to invest in our people and services to ensure we remain responsive, resilient, and focused on the needs of our community.”

For more information or to access the full CIW report, please click here