Ofsted praise “continued improvement” to Children and Young People Services

ofsted-praise-“continued-improvement”-to-children-and-young-people-services
Ofsted praise “continued improvement” to Children and Young People Services

Liverpool City Council’s Children and Young People’s Service have been commended by Ofsted for their improvement progress, with reports stating that “the permanent senior leadership team is driving improvement plans at a timely pace.” The visit in July of 2024 concluded that caseloads have reduced over the last few months, allowing social workers more time to do quality work. Senior managers are now overseeing and tracking permanence plans for children more thoroughly, enabling them to achieve permanence more efficiently as the council enhances their council support services, including human resources (HR) and Information technology (IT) departments.

Ofsted also recognised that the recruitment and retention work in place has helped stabilised the workforce, resulting in fewer changes in social workers, leading to more well-supported staff and better retention. Short- and longer-term plans are given to children who come into care in an emergency situation, and more children are receiving support to understand their histories and why they are in their care.

Despite significant improvements, area’s that require continued progress were also identified. The frequency of visits is not always consistent with the changing needs of the children, and some visits lack “purpose and a clear outcome.” In response, Liverpool City Council is committed to addressing these inconsistencies and striving for excellence in all areas.

Councillor Liz Parsons, the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, thanked their staff for their hard work and dedication, and for the success they have achieved so far in improving the services for Children and Young People. While the council acknowledges that there are still some areas in practice where there is inconsistency, they remain focused on ensuring that every child in their care receives optimal support with a commitment towards excellence.

Jenny Turnross, the Director of Children and Young People’s Service, expressed their full commitment to ensuring that every child in their care has the best possible start in life. They remain dedicated to creating a nurturing and supportive environment where children can thrive and reach their full potential. Liverpool invites candidates interested in working at Liverpool City Council to visit their website to learn more about their services and check current vacancies

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