Glowing report on support for vulnerable kids

INSPECTORS have given social work services a glowing report for their support of vulnerable youngsters in Dumfries and Galloway. A joint inspection team involving several public bodies scrutinised the work being done in this region to help young people who subject to compulsory supervision orders (CSOs) living at home with their parents. Young people are given CSOs by Children’s Hearings when they require legal protection, care, or guidance, often due to neglect, abuse, serious behavioural issues, or offending. These orders aim to support the child while ensuring their safety or managing risks they pose to themselves or others. An inspection of how the system was operating in Dumfries and Galloway took place between September 2025 and December 2025. The joint inspection team included officials from the Care Inspectorate, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland and His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education in Scotland. Their report was finally published just 30 minutes before the council’s social work committee commenced last Tuesday morning. The findings were: Impact on children and young people – good; care planning, managing risk and effective intervention – good; involving individual children, young people and families – very good; and leadership for strategy and direction – good. Speaking at the committee, Charles Rocks, the council’s head of children, families and justice services, said: “This is the first uh joint inspection of children services in Dumfries and Galloway for quite some time. I think 2014 being the last joint inspection. “There might be members here that will remember the last joint inspection – and the significant improvements that were required at that time. “We absolutely welcome the findings of of this report, the grades that come with it from the joint inspection team, and the strengths that they identified for us as a partnership area, and improvements which are noted through the inspection report.” He continued: “What this report is highlighting for us is the sheer commitment and dedication of our frontline staff in a difficult context. A context that the joint inspection team themselves noted has been incredibly challenging in terms of the sheer nature of need and support that some of the children required.” In July 2024, there were 346 ‘looked after’ children and young people in Dumfries and Galloway. At that time, 114 of these children and young people were subject to a supervision requirement and living at home with their parents. Inspectors completed 370 surveys from frontline staff and first line managers, 99 surveys were completed from children and young people, and 29 were filled in by parents. Officials also met with 85 children and young people, 19 parents, 283 staff and senior representatives from youth, justice, and social partnerships through three structured discussions. A review of 60 children and young people was also conducted through multi-agency records. Dee and Glenkens Councillor Andy McFarlane, chair of the social work committee, said: “Congratulations on what is an excellent report, and I think it emphasises the hard work that goes often unseen.”