Mark Whitehead 30 October 2019

Reading’s children’s services improvement ‘huge achievement'

A council-owned company has moved Reading's children's services out of its ‘inadequate’ Ofsted rating.

Brighter Futures for Children, which took over the services at Reading Borough Council last year, was found to have made improvements in all four areas in which they were judged.

Each of the areas of practice has been re-designated as ‘requires improvement to be good’.

The company's managing director Antony Kildare hailed the regrading as 'a huge achievement'.

Inspectors found that senior leaders had ‘rightly focused on strengthening the recruitment and retention of staff, caseloads are reducing, and there has been an increase in management capacity.’

They also found that the company and council were ‘working collaboratively, and appropriate arrangements for scrutiny and challenge were in place’.

Liz Terry, Reading’s lead councillor for children’s services, said: 'We are delighted that Ofsted has recognised the huge efforts being made to help turn children’s services around.

'The important thing now is for that recognition to translate into better life outcomes for vulnerable children, young people and families in the town.'

Making payment processes smarter  image

Making payment processes smarter

It can be challenging to find the right software to streamline payment processes. Lewis McKenna-Crisp argues SmarterPay has the ideal solution for councils.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Technical Support Officer

Wyre Borough Council
Grade 5 £25,992 – £27,711
This is a really exciting time to join Wyre Council, with a new Leader and Chief Executive leading our next chapter. Poulton-Le-Fylde, Lancashire
Recuriter: Wyre Borough Council

Residential Worker

Essex County Council
£27934.00 - £35344.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Residential WorkerPermanent, Full Time£27,934 up to £35,344 Per Annum (includes allowance) equal to £14.48 to £18.32 Per HourLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Early Years Keyworker

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£37,068 - £38,058
Want to make a difference for children with special educational needs in Greenwich? Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Early Years Area SENCo

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£39,855 - £42,324
Have you got extensive experience in working within Early Years, with a clear understanding of child development Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Young Persons Substance Misuse Service Pathfinder

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£31,524 - £32,931
Are you looking to change the lives of young people? Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich
Linkedin Banner