Division: Children’s Service Delivery
Client: Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council
Discover how we supported Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council to manage assessment demand effectively.
Client Background
Barnsley Council provides essential social services for families & children, aiming to enhance residents' lives. Through targeted interventions, they address diverse community needs, fostering well-being & resilience.
The Challenges
Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council faced considerable hurdles in their social care assessment service, operating with only three teams on a duty cycle. Recognising the urgent need for expanded capacity, they commissioned the expertise of Eden Brown Service Delivery (EBSD).
EBSD was tasked with establishing a fourth assessment team, bolstering resources with one Team Manager and five Social Workers. This strategic augmentation, overseen by the EBSD Service Manager, effectively extended the duty cycle to four weeks. Through this collaboration, Barnsley Council aimed to enhance service efficiency and responsiveness, ensuring that vulnerable individuals receive the timely and comprehensive support they require.
- Limited assessment capacity
- Consistent application of thresholds
- High demand on services
- Multi-agency collaboration
The Solution
Initial Consultation
Our journey commenced with an initial meeting with the Local Authority Sponsor, allowing us to understand their goals and project needs intimately. Together, we crafted a detailed proposal specifying the work scope, pricing, timeline, and key success indicators. Once agreed, we promptly assembled a dedicated team within two weeks. To kickstart effectively, we held an implementation day focused on setting up IT systems, integrating our team with theirs, and training on internal processes, ensuring a prepared start.
Implementation & Collaboration
Swift implementation by the Assessment Team resolved service capacity issues with robust oversight. Timely partner engagements and consistent threshold implementation ensured effective child plans. Eden Brown's QA Team audits and performance reports demonstrated strong throughput.
Regular senior management and Midway meetings evaluated progress and facilitated communication. A collaborative relationship with the sponsor enhanced service delivery through ongoing idea exchange.
The Results
The Eden Brown Service Delivery program helped the Local Authority manage assessment service demand, ensure consistent intervention thresholds, and provide timely support to children and families. Robust case oversight, timely visits, and swift assessment completions prevented delays, delivering interventions during family contact.
- High quality audit outcomes
- High-quality, timely assessments
- Robust quality assurance
- Proportionate decision-making