Bath and North East Somerset Council’s Children’s Social Care Services have been rated as ‘Good’ in their Ofsted inspection, with ‘Outstanding’ features – putting them in the top 20 nationally. Local Adoption Services have also been judged as ‘Outstanding’, which is the first time a Council in the South West has been awarded an ‘Outstanding’ grading in any category under the current inspection framework.
The final report from the team of inspectors, who visited in April and May, gives the Council an overall rating of ‘Good’. The review of the multi-agency arrangements to protect children through the Local Safeguarding Children Board, carried out alongside the inspection of Council services, also received a ‘Good’ rating.
As with all inspections, Ofsted have highlighted recommendations for making the service even better and indicated that services for care leavers and for children who need help and protection still ‘require improvement to be good’.
The report highlights numerous strengths of the service, praising the timely and proportionate response to raised concerns alongside outstanding integrated commissioning arrangements and strong partnerships with other agencies, such as health services and the Police. Staff consistently reported to inspectors how much they enjoy working here.
Reg Pengelly, the Independent Chair of the Local Safeguarding Children Board, said, “I am delighted with Ofsted’s ‘Good’ rating from their review of the effectiveness of the LSCB. This reflects some fantastic work between local partners, including the Board’s three active lay members, and the strong work we do to actively seek the views of children through the Senior In Care Council and Youth Forum.
“I am particularly pleased to see an acknowledgment that we have created a ‘culture of openness, purposeful challenge and a well-driven and sustained focus on safeguarding performance’ ensuring that ‘outcomes for children continue to improve’. Whilst this report suggests that B&NES is a relatively safe place for children and families to live, with statutory agencies working well together, safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and we want the public and other professionals to report concerns whenever they think a child or vulnerable person needs some help. I will ensure the Board picks up the inspectors’ three recommendations, to broaden the range of performance information we review; to add some additional areas of focus into our annual report; and to extend to a wider audience the ongoing work to raise awareness of child sexual exploitation.”
To view the full report, click here
If you’re interested in fostering or adoption, visit www.bathnes.gov.uk/adoption or call 01225 394949