Key successes

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• We have a strong leadership team and with Karen Graham as a newly appointed Director of Children's Services, we have the highest ambitions for our children and young people and supports workers to achieve the best outcomes for children and young people known to Dudley Children's Services

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• "Older children in care benefit from strong practice from their independent reviewing officers (IROs) and social workers." Ofsted Focussed visit  Feb 2024

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• We have revitalised council leadership arrangements, a cross political and partner improvement programme which has accelerated our efforts to support and strengthen our alliances with partners to improve our collective offer to children and young people in Dudley

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• We have undertaken a full directorate redesign (2023) to compliment and enhance our social care provision and we have implemented the Family Safeguarding Model which originated in 2015 in Hertfordshire and has since been implemented in Local Authorities across England as a result of it’s successful outcomes for safeguarding children. ​

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• Through the Family Safeguarding model, the focus of child protection has shifted from monitoring compliance to engaging with families in a strengths-based way and producing meaningful change through Motivational Interviewing, a client-centred therapeutic style designed to harness motivation and enhance readiness for change. There is monthly group case supervision which includes all the professionals working with the family to review progress and next steps. Additionally, each team member has monthly clinical supervision with a team leader from their own professional background. This approach facilitates shared and informed decision-making about whether children are being harmed, and about what help and support to provide to the family.

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• Dudley Centre of Professional Practice (CPP) Website is a one stop shop for free resources, research, learning and development opportunities. It offers links to online training and links to partner agencies so you stay one step ahead in key areas of practice and innovation​​

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• Recognition events are held for staff and children to recognise achievements and promote good outcomes in true ‘award ceremony’ style

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• Dudley is an active member of the West Midlands Teaching Partnership and supports the development of research in practice. This offers practitioners the opportunities to develop specialist areas of interest and bring theory back into practice and vice versa, whilst also contributing to the development of regional and national policy 

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