Improved support for children and families in Kirklees praised by Ofsted
Three-week inspection of local authority children’s services recognises good quality support to vulnerable children and young people, recognising progress over past five years.
Ofsted inspectors were in Kirklees in West Yorkshire for three weeks in July, assessing local council support for vulnerable children and young people. The results of the inspection have now been published: Kirklees children’s services have been rated ‘good’.
Cllr Viv Kendrick (Cabinet Member for Children’s Services at Kirklees Metropolitan Council); Tom Brailsford (Executive Director for Children and Families); Vicky Metheringham (Service Director, Family Support and Child Protection); Steve Mawson (Kirklees Council Chief Executive) ; photo courtesy of Kirklees Council.
This is very welcome, not least because the last Ofsted inspection – in 2019 – rated the same services as requiring improvement, which is effectively regulator speak for ‘not good enough’. The new report shows that the needed improvement has been achieved.
There’s still room to be better: the new report says that the experiences and progress of care leavers still need to be improved. But the impact of leaders on social work practice with children and families, the experiences and progress of children who need help and protection, the experiences and progress of children in care, and the overall effectiveness of services all merited the ‘good’ grade.
Ofsted also described the leadership team of the council’s children’s services as established and confident, noting that committed staff and strong corporate and political support has driven the recent improvements. A range of effective, bespoke services meet local needs and makes a tangible difference to children’s experiences.
Cllr Viv Kendrick, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services at Kirklees Metropolitan Council, says: ‘Social care teams support some of the most vulnerable children, young people and families in our district, which comes with great responsibility. To be assessed as “good” by Ofsted is a really pleasing achievement and one that has been hard earned by every single person involved.
‘This report shows our huge, collective commitment to protecting children, acting in their best interests and helping them to thrive, no matter what their circumstances. Kirklees Children’s Services have made tremendous progress in recent years, but there is always more to do and we will continue striving to be even better.’
Cllr Carole Pattison, Leader of the council, adds: ‘One of this council’s biggest priorities is to deliver the best possible outcomes for our children. We want children and families to be safe, healthy and happy. For children who are in care, or in need of extra help and protection, the right support is even more essential. The pressures on social care have grown enormously in the last few years, both locally and nationally, but Ofsted have seen high standards of practice here in Kirklees. Our children deserve the very best and we aim to put their voices at the heart of all the work we do.’
In related news:
‘Connect to protect’: National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month begins
