Damien Moore MP expresses grave concerns over persistent issues in Sefton Children's Services

MEMBER of Parliament for Southport, Damien Moore, has addressed the recurring shortcomings of Sefton’s Children’s Services, as highlighted in the recent Ofsted monitoring report.

Despite the lapse of 18 months since the terrible findings, challenges remain, even after the introduction of 2 new Directors of Children’s Services, a new cabinet member, and a new Chief Executive. It was anticipated that such changes under the Labour-led Sefton Council would usher in much-needed improvements. However, these hopes have again been cruelly dashed by this latest report.

Ofsted’s findings show that the quest for permanence for children is progressing at a disconcerting pace, with prevalent issues in care planning and an alarming trend of:- "drift and delay." Inconsistencies persist, affecting children’s stability, while physical health services are commendable, mental, and emotional support are facing troubling delays. The reality is there is an urgent need for comprehensive reforms to ensure consistent, high quality care for our children.

This news follows the Children’s Minister writing to the Council in July 2023, directing Sefton to deliver the recommendations set out in the Commissioner’s June 2023 report, alongside any outstanding recommendations which have previously been identified by OFSTED, and criticising the Council for not making adequate improvements to the services.

Damien Moore, Member of Parliament for Southport, said:- "It is of the utmost importance that Sefton’s Children’s Services meet their legal and moral obligations to Southport’s children. We must remain vigilant and ensure that Southport’s children receive nothing less than they deserve from the political decision makers at Sefton Council. Under the current Labour-led Council, the need for immediate and concrete actions cannot be stressed enough. The future of Southport’s children is too valuable to be hampered by bureaucratic delays and lacklustre efforts from those at the top of Sefton’s Children Services. How much longer will this inept Council gamble with children’s futures?"

In the report, Lisa Summers, His Majesty’s Inspector, said:- "Since the last inspection, the pace of improvement for children who need permanence is too slow. While there is improving management oversight of some children, changes are not having a systematic impact on improving children’s experiences. Too many children continue to experience drift and delay in achieving permanence and having their needs met as weaknesses in care planning remain. Children who need protective action while in care do not always receive a safe and timely response."

Explained - 5 steps to take if your child doesn't receive the GCSE results they hoped for

AMONGST the many celebrations that GCSE results day often brings, there are some unfortunate cases where students haven't received the results they had anticipated, causing panic, confusion, and disappointment.

This can often leave parents with the task of guiding them through the pressure of working out what their next steps are, meaning it's important to get it right and support your child as best as you can.

Gareth Greenwood, Education Learning and Development Manager at the online training provider, High Speed Training, provides parents with some expert tips on what to do if your child hasn't achieved the GCSE results they wanted this results day:-

Celebrate achievements... Gareth comments:- "Whatever results students are faced with, remembering that each individual has experienced their own, personal journey to get there is vital. Remind them of the obstacles they've overcome to get to this point; it's a credit to their work ethic in such challenging times. For students who haven't done as well as expected, they're going to be feeling a whole mixture of emotions, including disappointment and panic. It's important to remind them that they did their best, which is only something to be proud of; these results won't be the sole determinant of their future success. Avoid asking questions like 'why didn't you revise harder?' or focusing on subjects they underperformed in. If they're already disappointed in their performance, these questions will only serve to undermine their self confidence and make them feel worse."

Consider getting their exams re-marked... Gareth shares:- "Students are required to get a minimum of a 4 in maths and either English literature or language to avoid having to retake them at A level. So the first step for students who have scored a high 3 in these subjects is to ask for a re-mark. It's not a certainty that re-marking their paper will increase their grade, and in some cases the grade can be lowered, but it's definitely a step that's worth considering if the result is close to a 4. There is a charge for getting the exams re-marked, but in many cases this is something that the school will cover. It should also be said that if the grade is less than a 3, there's very little chance of it increasing to a 4, so in this case it's not worth asking for a re-mark."

Contact the college or sixth form... Gareth explains:- "Another priority after receiving disappointing results is to contact your child's preferred College or 6th Form to ask about possible options. Many colleges will do what they can to accept your child, even if they underperformed in their GCSEs, so it's vital that you speak to them about what options your child has. It's possible that they will offer your child a place on their chosen course, with conditions relating to performance or retaking key GCSEs. They may also offer them a place on a similar course. If the college will not accept your child due to their results, then it's time to consider other options."

Consider the career path your child wants to take... Gareth says:- "Many students will be under the impression that not receiving their desired results means they can't pursue the career path they had in mind; it's important to reassess and rationalise these thoughts. It's possible that your child can still get into their chosen career path by going straight into employment, or by taking qualifications that aren't A-levels, so it's important that you evaluate whether college is a necessity or a bonus when it comes to entering their career of choice. There isn't 1 linear process that every student needs to follow. By reminding yourself and your child of this, you open up a much wider variety of possibilities for them to explore."

Don't rush into decision making; seek further support and advice... Gareth comments:- "In the unfortunate case that your child doesn't receive the results they need, take time to let feelings and emotions die down so that you're both able to see the bigger picture. There's no immediate rush to make a decision, regardless of the outcome you've been faced with. Your child's educational support system will already provide a network of people available to consult with on what the next step should be; these people are trained and knowledgeable in this specific field so it's really important to utilise them. Trained careers advisors can also help your child by providing a personalised plan of action based on the career path they have in mind."

For more information on High Speed Training, and education training resources, visit:- HighSpeedTraining.Co.UK.