INSPECTORS have highlighted "significant capacity issues" affecting referral systems within Devon's children's services.

Ofsted has revealed the findings of an unannounced inspection it carried out in June.

The visit looked at the quality and effectiveness of contact, referral and assessment arrangements and their impact on minimising child abuse or neglect.

The inspectors observed social workers and practice managers undertaking referral and assessment duties, as well as examining electronic case records and supervision files.

Summarising their findings in a letter to County Hall chiefs, lead inspector Pietro Battista said: "The inspection identified areas of strength and satisfactory practice, with some areas for development."

Strengths were found to include well motivated staff who have access to good training and support from managers.

It is hoped a new central contact point, known as the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub, will improve cooperation between statutory and voluntary agencies responsible for child protection. The inspectors said that "while in early stages of development, [it] enables improved intelligence gathering and information sharing across partner agencies".

But the report identifies three main areas for improvement.

"Significant capacity issues within the long-term teams result in cases being held too long within the referral and assessment teams," said the inspector.

"This increases pressures on staff within the referral and assessment teams and reduces the time available to them to ensure recording is up-to-date and to maintain a good standard of practice."

The inspectors also found some instances where information was missing or inaccurate, adding: "Not all staff are sufficiently skilled in sensitive information gathering."

Ofsted also raised concerns about the department's electronic records systems, stating that "poor system operating performance results in staff experiencing significant delays in accessing or inputting onto case files and records".

The inspection will contribute to the annual review of Devon County Council's children's services. Ofsted will award the authority an overall rating later in the year.

Cabinet member for children's health and wellbeing, Councillor Andrea Davis, said: "We welcome the findings of the report, which marks a continued improvement in children's services after the full Ofsted inspection 12 months ago.

"In particular the report states no priority actions are needed to be taken by the council, and also highlights a significant number of strengths."