Too many care leavers live in hotels or other unsuitable accommodation in Devon but oversight at the county council has improved, Ofsted has found.
Inspectors have paid their sixth visit to Devon County Council’s children’s services after they were rated inadequate in January 2020.
Inspector Steve Lower said: ‘Staff describe a positive change in culture, characterised by a significant improvement in senior management oversight and interest.’
Mr Lower found that ‘too many care leavers live in hotels’ and highlighted a shortage of appropriate accommodation.
However, he noted that when there were housing issues or homelessness risks, the council’s personal assistants acted ‘with urgency’.
Cabinet member for children’s services Andrew Leadbetter said: ‘I am pleased that inspectors are beginning to see areas of good practice and some significant improvement.
‘However, it is clear that we still have a long way to go together on our improvement journey and we must continue to work hard to start to see improvement in outcomes for our young people, but it is good to see that we are on the right track.’
In April a review of Devon’s governance was announced, prompted by issues including a ‘continuous failure’ to turn round its inadequate-rated children’s services for 12 years.
