Durham to help improve children’s social care

Durham County Council has been chosen to help improve children’s social care services in parts of England where they are underperforming. 

The council is one of six authorities selected for the second wave of the government’s Children’s Social Care Improvement Teams (CIT) programme.

Launched by the Department for Education, the scheme supports councils whose children’s social care services have been rated ‘inadequate’ or found to need improvement by Ofsted.

Earlier this month, Luton Council and Newham Council were also announced as part of the programme. 

Cathy Hunt, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for children and young people’s services, said: ‘We are absolutely delighted to have been selected to lead the way in supporting the development of children’s social care around the country through the CIT programme. 

‘In County Durham we take pride in treating every child as part of the Durham Family, ensuring their individual needs are met, they are listened to and they are supported with opportunities that allow them to grow and thrive.’

‘To be selected for this programme is fantastic national recognition of the high quality of our children’s social care services,’ Hunt added. ‘We are looking forward to supporting colleagues in other local authority areas by sharing our best practices and expertise and, ultimately, improving outcomes for children not just in County Durham but UK-wide.’ 

In 2025 Durham’s children’s services were rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted. A report from the regulator read: ‘Since the last inspection in 2022, senior leaders have continued to strengthen services for children and families in Durham. Despite rising demand, strong and aspirational senior leaders have continued to improve and innovate services.’

Meanwhile, the report also highlighted that Durham’s strategy of putting children first led to ‘the development of highly effective services that are having a lasting impact on the lives of many children, particularly children in care and care leavers.’

Image: Jeffrey Zhang/UnSplash

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