DORSET is said to be ‘ahead of the curve’ with children’s social care reform and in a good position for the future.

The comments came during a discussion about proposed national reforms to child care with a report making 46 recommendations and calling for a Government investment of £2.6billion over the next four years.

Thursday's people and health scrutiny committee heard that Dorset had already moved to closer working with other agencies, including wider family members, and being more inclusive in seeking out the best opportunities for the county’s children and young people.

Children's service Corporate Director Claire Shiels said the county was already working with multi-disciplinary teams and was, in many areas, placing staff closer to where the needs are.

She said the new ways of working in Dorset had proved popular and meant the county was not experiencing the same level of difficulty in recruiting social workers compared to others areas. She said that many who came to the area as agency social workers often went on to become staff members.

“We are blessed here is Dorset with recruitment and retention …we are seen as being a good place to work,” she said.

But several councillors were sceptical about some of the proposed national reforms: Cllr Stella Jones said she would resist any move towards a regional service claiming “local works – there is already a great difference between us and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.”

She also warned that with an estimated national cost of £2.6billion councillors were more than likely to be talking about the reforms for years to come.

The concern about moves toward a degree of regional organisation was shared by Cabinet member for children’s services, Cllr Andrew Parry, who said colleagues across the south west had some misgivings about the idea, but would have to await the final details.

“Alocal model is probably the best way forward,” he said.

Cllr Cathy Lugg, a former social worker and foster parent, said she would oppose changes to make it easier for family members to become ‘kinship carers’ without the necessary checks and training which takes place now.

She warned that, in the worst cases, it could lead to entirely unsuitable people becoming involved in the lives of vulnerable children and young people.

She was also against possible changes to the work of Independent Reviewing Officers, who oversee some 'looked after' children cases – claiming their role was crucial and often resulted in solutions not originally thought of.