William Eichler 12 October 2017

Worcestershire's children’s services showing ‘tangible’ signs of progress, inspectors say

Worcestershire children’s services are showing ‘tangible’ signs of improvement but require ‘further progress’, inspectors say.

An Ofsted report last January rated the county council’s services for children who need help and protection, and those for looked after children, as ‘inadequate’ for the second time in six years.

The report warned, ‘Elected members and senior leaders have not taken sufficient action to ensure the protection of vulnerable children. This corporate failure leaves children in Worcestershire at continued risk of significant harm.’

However, over the last nine months Worcestershire has allocated an extra £5.1m into improving children's social care. Last month, Essex County Council was also formally appointed as Worcestershire's Improvement Partner.

The latest monitoring visit by Ofsted inspectors to Worcestershire children’s services has found evidence of improvement. It described the council’s improvement plan as ‘succinct and well-focussed.’

Despite the improvements, Her Majesty's Inspector Dominic Stevens made it clear in a letter published after the September inspections that services for children in the county require much further progress.

Responding to the latest report, Cllr Andy Roberts, the cabinet member with responsibility for children and families, said: ‘Our staff are working very hard to deliver the improvements that we need to deliver.

‘I am pleased to see that the inspectors have seen some improvements but we have an awful lot of work still to do to get to the stage where are consistently delivering high quality services to children, young people and their families.’

Last month, the cabinet discussed a recommendation to voluntarily place children's services into a different form. A review into alternative models has now begun.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Family Support Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 6 £27,269 - £30,060 (Pay Award Pending)
Do you want to work in an ambitious Local Authority with strong leadership and partnership commitment to Children’s Services? Durham County Council a Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

SENDIASS Support Officer

Durham County Council
Grade 8 £31,586 - £35,235 (Pay Award Pending)
An exciting and rewarding opportunity has arisen within the busy and fast paced SEND Information, Advice, Support Service (SENDIASS). The service has Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Residential Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 7 £29,093 - £32,654 (Pay Award Pending)
Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Team Leader

Durham County Council
Grade 8 £31,586 - £35,235 (Pay Award Pending)
Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Class Teacher

Durham County Council
£31,650- £33,483
Class Teacher MPS 1 -2   £31,650- £33,483 Temporary – required from Monday 1st September 2025 (subject to DBS) until 31st August 2026 25 hours per wee Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner