The What Would It Take programme is a five-year plan which recognises the importance of using The Scottish Approach to Service Design to evaluate and improve Children and Families services. The Scottish Approach to Service Design is informed by data and evidence and encourages service change to be deliberate and purposeful, as opposed to organic and reactive. It also emphasises service users’ voices, both providers and recipients of a services should be at the centre of policy and service design, ensuring that sustainability and future proofing be considered throughout.
The Children and Families service within West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership (WDHSCP) provides social work and health services to children, young people, their families or carers.
There are some services and responsibilities that the local authority, including those within WDHSCP, must provide to care-experienced young people up to the age of 26. These services help support their transition into adulthood. Young people have the right to stay in care with proper support until they turn 21, as long as it meets their needs.
The statutory functions of Children's Services include:
- Fulling filling duties to undertake inquiries and assessment of children who may be experiencing harm.
- Servicing of Court and SCRA inquiries and assessment.
- Child Protection and safeguarding services.
- Support of children and young people looked after at home.
- Support of children and young people away from home, including fostering adoption and residential care.
- Support to West Dunbartonshire Foster Carers and delivery of three residential Children’s Houses
- Support to vulnerable families with issues such as addictions, mental health difficulties and disability.
- Services for Children or young people with a disability.
- Support families with adoption and fostering of children and young people.
- Support to children and their families within Kinship
- Through Care and Aftercare and Continuing Services.
- Health Visiting School and School Nursing services; and
- Support to children and families experiencing domestic abuse.
Over the last six years, the rising costs of care show that the demand for care has increased. It's crucial to ensure that the needs of children and young people in care are met, as outlined by The Promise. In West Dunbartonshire, children and young people in care often face disrupted relationships with their family, siblings, community, and schools. Experiencing complex childhood trauma can lead to worse outcomes as adults, such as needing more mental health and addiction services and being more likely to get involved with the justice system.