Inspectors who previously criticised authorities in Moray for failing to look after vulnerable children properly say “encouraging progress” has since been made.
In a report published in February, Care Inspectorate bosses said the Moray Community Planning Partnership – which brings together police, social workers, education and health staff – was putting youngsters at risk by failing to identify those with neglectful parents.
The damning papers also stated that some children had been left suffering “emotional harm” as the authorities were leaving it too long before intervening in their cases.
And inspectors found that staff did not respond quickly enough to concerns being raised about children pinpointed as being at risk.
However, a follow-up report was published yesterday which offered a more positive verdict.
Inspectors said they were confident that the various partner agencies had taken the findings of the earlier inspection “very seriously”.
They said encouraging progress was now being made across most of the recommendations made in February.
Karen Reid, chief executive of the Care Inspectorate, said: “We are pleased to note that some progress has been made on addressing the matters raised at our last inspection.
“We now expect partners to build on the work they have done, to ensure that children and their families experience more effective support and intervention.”
NHS Grampian’s public health director Susan Webb said the groups had taken “urgent action” after receiving the alarming report earlier this year.
She added: “Staff across the partnership have worked hard to ensure the necessary improvements have been made.
“We know there is more to do but we are pleased with the direction of travel that children’s services in Moray is now taking.”
There will be another progress review within the next 12 months.
