19.07.19
Report finds progress at Barnet Council’s Children’s Services
A report by OFSTED on Barnet Council’s Children’s Services have gone from inadequate to good in just under two years.
The report highlights that the council is delivering improved services for some of the borough’s most vulnerable children and young people.
An inspection of the council’s Children’s Services was carried out by OFSTED in May this year, and the report found that “leaders and managers have made purposeful progress”.
Councillor David Longstaff, chairman of the children, education and safeguarding committee, said: “It is vital that our most vulnerable children and young people are supported by good quality services that will deliver better outcomes for them.
“This is testament to the sheer hard work that has been put in by staff to deliver services that our children and young people deserve.
"The inspection result represents the huge amount of work that has gone into driving improvements for children and young people across the board over the last two years.
“The key thing now is to continue the hard work and build on this positive momentum. We have worked together across the council and with our partners to deliver these changes.
“I have every confidence that we will continue to go from strength to strength."
The report also found that children in care receive a good service from workers who know them well.
It also complimented the carers for providing stable homes and being supportive and ambitious for the children in their care.
The OFSTED report concluded that services for children in Barnet are good, and much improved from the services that were inspected in 2017.
Chris Munday, director of children and young people, said: “This is an extremely positive outcome for children and young people in Barnet.
“I am delighted that the report is so positive about both our social workers and other children's workers, and their commitment and tenacity in improving outcomes for our most vulnerable children.
“It is also very pleasing there was recognition of how our work with key partners is delivering a range of positive work, including our approach to early help, child protection and children in care.
“Moving forward, we are clear that working together to drive improvements for our children and young people remains the highest of priorities.”