Good Ofsted for Warwickshire’s children’s services
The services provided by Warwickshire County Council’s Children, Young People and Families directorate have been rated ‘good’ by Ofsted.
In its Annual Performance Assessment (APA), Ofsted gave Warwickshire an overall grade three (out of four) and said it was outstanding in providing services which help children and young people achieve economic well-being.
The report said that the directorate has “excellent strategic leadership with strong lead member support and good operational capacity ensure that the council is able to fulfil its challenging ambition”.
It added that “the children and young people’s plan… has the views of children and young people at its heart” and “well-conceived commissioning and service strategies ensures that resources are well targeted to close gaps, for example in educational attainment”.
In the APA, Ofsted outlined a summary of strengths and areas for development across the five Every Child Matters outcomes: Being Healthy, Staying Safe, Enjoying and Achieving, Making a Positive Contribution and Achieving Economic Well-Being, plus a section on Capacity to Improve and the management of services for children and young people.
Marion Davis, Strategic Director for Children, Young People and Families at Warwickshire County Council, said: “It is extremely satisfying that the good work across our partnerships has once again been recognised by our external assessors.
”However, we will not be complacent and will continue to strive meet our very high ambitions for children and young people in Warwickshire, and in our aim to narrow the gaps in society.”
Ofsted praised the “effective” Local Safeguarding Children Board, adding that “good action is taken to ensure the incidence of abuse and neglect is minimised”.
The report said that Warwickshire had a very good 14 to 19 curriculum with successful partnership working, and that the directorate provided good support for those with learning difficulties and disabilities. The assessors also noted the effective practices to improve participation in education, employment and training.
The Annual Performance Assessment comes on the back of Ofsted’s Joint Area Review earlier this year, which said Warwickshire Children’s Trust provided good services to improve the well-being of children and young people.
The inspection looked at processes and services in place for children and young people, ensuring those at risk or requiring safeguarding are effectively cared for, and looked after children and those with learning difficulties and disabilities achieve the best possible outcomes.
Warwickshire was graded as ‘good’ in all areas of the inspection placing the county amongst the top performing areas and indicating that the authority works well with partners to support children and young people.