Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Director of Children’s Services providing an overview of the Principal Social Worker role.

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Children’s Services with an overview of the roles and responsibilities of the Hampshire Children and Families Principal Social Worker (PSW).

In response to Members’ questions, it was confirmed that:

• Exit interviews with social work officers leaving the organisation were always carried out through the workforce development team and the feedback was collated. A six monthly report containing this information was reviewed by the management team.
• New social workers who have transferred to Hampshire from other Local Authorities generally observed how the ‘Hampshire approach’ was different and refreshing to that which they had experienced previously.
• The role of the PSW linked into Children’s Services Departmental Management Team (CSDMT) through the Assistant Director for Children and Families.
• Ensuring the wellbeing of staff, whilst challenging due to different ways of working throughout the pandemic, was of utmost importance. Participating in regional and national networks to share how other Local Authorities were working and to collaborate on best practice enabled the Hampshire team to continue to review and develop their approach.

The Panel congratulated the PSW on the ever evolving role and for establishing innovative and creative practices.

RESOLVED:

That the Children and Families Advisory Panel notes the role and work of the Hampshire Children and Families Principal Social Worker.