Ofsted
Council's children's services 'gradually improving'
Children’s services in Reading are 'gradually improving' two years after the council was rated inadequate by Ofsted.
More hard work required at Barnet
Senior leaders at Barnet LBC are ‘fully aware there are still areas of considerable challenge before practice is of a good standard,’ Ofsted has reported.
Council struggling on SEN and disabilities
Worcestershire CC is struggling to provide a sufficient quality of service to children with special needs and disabilities, according to inspectors.
Children's services blow for new chiefs
Surrey CC’s children’s services are still inadequate, according to Ofsted – three years after they received the same grade.
Progress amid continuing failure at Croydon
Croydon LBC is making progress in turning around its struggling children’s services, but is still failing the most vulnerable youngsters in its care, watchdog Ofsted has said.
Foster care recruitment warning
Ofsted’s senior adviser on looked-after children has warned of an ‘urgent’ need to recruit more foster carers.
Improvement in Brum's children's services
Birmingham City Council is making progress in its efforts to improve its children’s services, but needs to improve the consistency of its work, according to Ofsted.
Children's trust launched
Sandwell MBC has launched a children’s trust as a new vehicle to help turn around its struggling services.
Council takes over failing children's services
Plymouth City Council has taken over the running of children’s services at Torbay Council after a series of critical reports.
Council company to take over children's services
Senior Worcestershire CC councillors are next week expected to approve the development of a wholly-owned council company to deliver children’s services.
Further improvement needed at Tower Hamlets
Tower Hamlets LBC has sustained improvements to its children’s services but faces ‘significant challenges’ to achieve the good Ofsted rating it has targeted by 2019.
Groundbreaking review praises Leeds
Leeds City Council’s services for children in care have been praised following a ground-breaking review by Ofsted.
'Positive shift in morale and culture' at inadequate council
Ofsted inspectors have reported a ‘positive shift in the morale and culture’ of Worcestershire CC’s workforce just over a year after it was rated inadequate.
Council investment after inadequate rating
Gloucestershire CC has invested in staff, casework reduction and administration amid warnings the pace of improvements to its children’s services is too slow.
Children's services: Improving under pressure
A recent spate of children’s services turnarounds have provided the sector with a boost. Sam Clayden interviews Steve Walker about a partnership between high-performing Leeds City Council and struggling Kirklees MBC and the looming crisis in the sector.
Reserves warning for Dudley
Auditors have warned that Dudley MBC will use up its general fund by 2020/21 unless it manages to save millions of pounds.
Buckinghamshire gets second inadequate Ofsted rating
Buckinghamshire CC’s children’s services have again been judged inadequate by Ofsted after inspectors concluded progress in recent years had been ‘inconsistent and too slow’.
Further deterioration of Sandwell's children's services
Sandwell MBC has failed to improve its Ofsted rating for children’s social care and is still managing ‘inadequate’ services.
Rotherham: a place that needed good news
Rotherham MBC has finally achieved a positive Ofsted rating. The council is now trying to turn around the town's tarnished reputation. Heather Jameson reports.
Rotherham's children's services rated 'good' by Ofsted
Rotherham Council’s children’s services have been rated as ‘good’ by Ofsted, following three years of Government intervention in the aftermath of the child sexual exploitation scandal.