NETWORK HUB
WMCS, using a network structure across a number of children's services cross-cutting themes, seek to identify and develop best practice and share learning to improve the lives of children, young people and families in the West Midlands.
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Our networks have representation from the Councils and Trusts in the West Midlands, which are; Birmingham City Council, Birmingham Children's Trust, Coventry City Council, Dudley MBC, Herefordshire Council, Sandwell MBC, Sandwell Children's Trust, Shropshire Council, Solihull MBC, Staffordshire County Council, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Telford & Wrekin Council, Walsall Council, Warwickshire County Council, City of Wolverhampton Council and Worcestershire Children First. Working collectively and collaboratively, they specialise in developing, commissioning and leading the delivery of services to children, young people and their families, including education, health, youth, early years and social care services. Working in partnership with other agencies our members work to achieve tailored and joined-up services for children, whatever their identified needs.
DIRECTORATE OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES
WM ADCS is the Regional Association for Directors of Children's Services and their Senior Management teams across the West Midlands; we also work closely with our colleagues in the National Association for Directors of Children’s Services in England.
REGIONAL ADOPTION LEADERSHIP BOARD
The group provides regional leadership to the Adoption and Special Guardianship systems. We strive to drive improvements in performance, and become the hub for transforming the Adoption and Special Guardianship landscape.
EARLY HELP & TARGETED SUPPORT
The Early Help & Targeted Support Network is one of our newer networks, which brings together a range of people who are driving the Early Help agenda.
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Expertly facilitated by the Local Government Association, we aim to engage Lead Members around the region
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EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT NETWORK
The Educational Achievement Network has met for many years under the title of Heads of School Improvement.
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The SEND Leads Network is well established and has a good history of collaboration. There is a comprehensive work programme mostly looking at the implementation of the SEND reforms. There is also an efficiencies programme.
SOCIAL CARE ASSISTANT DIRECTORS NETWORK
A significant part of our improvement plan relates to Safeguarding and Social Care and as such this network has a hefty remit to fulfill.
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SOCIAL WORK
AGENCY NETWORK
The Agency network was a sub-group of the workforce network. As its name suggests it focused specifically on the usage of agency staff across the region.
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The West Midlands has a long standing tradition of collaboration between children’s commissioners.This collaboration is helping to develop and deliver a commissioning work programme that will help us to deliver our strategic objectives.
The Strategic Performance Network is the hub for all performance and data related activity.
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The Finance Officers purpose is to undertake projects and research work as directed by the Executive, and also to act as a forum for the gathering and sharing of financial information across the region.
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PRINCIPAL SOCIAL WORKERS NETWORK
This is a vibrant network and all Principal Social Workers are invited to attend and participate in the activities.
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The strategic Workforce Leads Network has a substantial work plan and you can read more about its activity.
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The Principal Social Workers’ Network bring together the Principal Social Workers from across the West Midlands region.
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Each network is aligned to deliver the region-wide ambitions and priorities as follows:
