Children’s services launch new system to improve care
Dudley Council has invested in ground-breaking new information technology to radically improve the authority’s work in delivering social care for vulnerable children.
The authority’s children’s services team has been working hard to develop the Successor IT programme for the past five years, and it is now live in the borough.
The investment will improve how the authority works in integrating and delivering social care for children.
Using the latest technology, council bosses say processes and outcomes will be greatly improved, both for staff and crucially for the families and children they work with.
Linking in with the council’s Centre For Professional practice, it will also mean more training and development opportunities for staff.
Councillor Ruth Buttery, cabinet member for children and young people, said:
“I’m absolutely thrilled that the Successor IT service is now up and running in the borough.
“This is one of the biggest and most significant changes to Dudley social care services in a decade.
“With huge staff support, this IT programme has been delivered through the midst of a pandemic in one of the most challenging times for council services ever. It is a true team effort.
“This has been a real labour of love for teams across the council. But particular thanks must go to the whole children’s services team, who through different working circumstances have been able to implement this project and get all their training done as well as doing their usual day jobs!
“As a council we care deeply for all our children in the borough and this IT programme will help us to do this job even better, not only within our teams, but also across the borough with our other partners.
“This is the culmination of five years hard work, and I want to personally thank all the dedicated staff who have gone above and beyond rolling out this new system during already challenging times.”
It comes after a new adult social care system went live in September, with both new systems now allowing for a smooth transition of social care from childhood to adulthood.