Glowing Ofsted for Warwickshire County Council
Warwickshire County Council’s Children, Young People and Families directorate is consistently delivering services at a good level according to Ofsted.
In their Annual Performance Assessment (APA), Ofsted rated the directorate as a “good” children’s services authority with excellent capacity to improve.
Following a review of the directorate’s Children and Young People’s Plan, Ofsted said: “The work of the Children and Young People’s Partnership Board is underpinned by strong leadership, clear direction and excellent partnership working. Outcomes for children and young people have improved significantly in many respects.”
Marion Davis, Strategic Director for Children, Young People and Families at Warwickshire County Council, said: “We are a good children’s services authority but what we find most encouraging is that we have the capacity to be excellent and that is exactly what we are aiming for. This positive report is due to the hard work and commitment of our staff, and the strength of our partner agencies.”
Ofsted outlined a summary of strengths and areas for development across the five Every Child Matters outcomes of Being Healthy, Staying Safe, Enjoying and Achieving, Making a Positive Contribution and Achieving Economic Well-Being, as well as Capacity to Improve and the Management of Children’s Services.
The report said standards of attainment are continuing to improve and are above those found nationally and in similar authorities. Key Stage 1 results have been consistently above the national averages and similar authorities while Key Stage 2 have risen in line with national figures. Key Stage 3 has a rising trend and Key Stage 4 achieved its target. GCSE results are also improving as expected.
Strong partnerships between the council, schools and colleges and other learning bodies proved effective, success rates in modern apprenticeships had significantly increased and post-16 attainment is above the national average, the report said.
In terms of its management of services, the directorate was hailed as “outstanding”. The report added that, “the council sets itself high targets and has demonstrated very good progress in improving outcomes for children and young people”.
Ofsted highlighted several areas of development. Those include increasing the numbers achieving healthy schools status, reducing referrals to children’s social care, reducing schools in Ofsted’s categories of concern and the amount of permanently excluded pupils, and being proactive in raising school attendances.
Ofsted also encouraged the council to address the number of looked after young people who are involved with offending and reduce the proportion of young people not in education, employment or training.