News

Independent Review of Children’s Social Care final report published

A landmark report has just been published which aims to “radically reset” the children’s social care sector. Josh MacAlister’s Independent Review of Children’s Social Care is described as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to reform systems and services for children and families”.

We welcome this report, not only as a huge step forward for the sector, but also because its findings align with the fundamental values and approach that underpin our care at AWW.

The report emphasises the importance of loving relationships and the need for the therapeutic, nurturing care, which is at the heart of what we do. It calls on the care sector to “surround children with loving, stable and safe relationships so that they can flourish”, which we also believe is the key to transforming children’s lives.

It also highlights the need for improved early intervention work so that children can remain with their families where possible. It has always been our mission at AWW to provide a programme of intensive support for children which enables them to move on from us to a stable, safe, loving environment, and not to become lost to the care system. Through the dedicated work of our care, education, outdoor and multi-disciplinary teams, children are able to make the progress they need to achieve their plans for permanence, giving them the best possible chance of a happy and successful future.

The report recognises that “care can have an incredibly positive influence on a child’s life. Done well, care provides a place for children to heal, recover from trauma and abuse, and thrive”. The report calls for this to become the “universal ambition” of all care providers. At AWW, this has always been our ambition, and we are proud to continue to provide outstanding care which enables children to thrive and truly transforms their lives.

The full report can be found here: https://childrenssocialcare.independent-review.uk/final-report/

 

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What Others Say About Us

I am truly taken aback by the level of care you have shown. The staff have gone out of their way to show him the attention and care that he has never had. When I visited him, it was like I was looking at a different child to what he was before he came. He was not like a child in care, he was like a child in a family. You have literally saved his life.

Social Worker

All children and young people thrive, and they make progress while living at the home. Because of the services provided the children and young people experience an individualised, stable and consistent home life. Children and young people benefit from the integrated, multi-disciplinary approach to education and care. They each achieve their full potential and, in many cases, do so beyond previous expectations.

Ofsted

I am so grateful to the AWW team for their dedication and commitment to caring and supporting Sam. He recently reported that being at there gave him the space to think and the opportunity to reflect on his attitude and make plans for his future.

Social Worker

I have to share my delight at Luke’s progress at AWW. Thanks to your support, in the last 17 weeks Luke and has turned his life around significantly. From where he has come from to where he is now, I am so proud of him.

Social Worker

The placement was really good and beneficial to me. The staff were all really supportive and nice and always made themselves available to me if I had any problems. The outdoor activities that were offered helped me to have a better outlook and showed me that I can do so much more in life, and it really helped me process and made me feel like a better person.

Child

As METCO Officer for Cumbria Police I have regular contact with the team at AWW in relation to vulnerable children at risk of CSE and going missing. If a specific incident has occurred, the Home Manager and I speak on the phone to discuss the best way forward. She also attends CSE risk assessment meetings and we receive Philomena Protocol forms when a young person arrives in placement.

Cumbria Police