Auto Amazon Links: No products found.
Liverpool’s dedication to its children and young people is central to the city’s broader vision, and the recent Ofsted inspection rating of ‘Good’ for Children’s Services represents a major achievement on that path. Cllr Liz Parsons, Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Services, shares insights into the significant transformation seen over the past three years, highlighting crucial investments in both staff and families, as well as the ongoing commitment to securing a brighter future for Liverpool’s youth.
When Cllr Parsons took up her role over three years ago, Liverpool Children’s Services had just been given an ‘inadequate’ rating by Ofsted. Alongside the new Corporate Director, Jenny Glennard, they set out a realistic plan to achieve substantial improvement within three to five years. According to Parsons, the recent ‘Good’ rating “reflects the remarkable progress that we have made.” She acknowledges that this lower rating initially had a demoralizing effect on staff, so alongside addressing structural issues and strengthening teams, boosting morale was a key priority. Parsons emphasized that the workforce’s passion and dedication needed to be recognized and supported rather than blamed.
The service made deliberate efforts to improve conditions for social workers by reducing caseloads through hiring more permanent staff, boosting training and development, providing visible leadership, and enhancing communication. One standout accomplishment noted in the inspection was the significant shift from reliance on temporary agency staff to a permanent workforce. “You wouldn’t staff a school with supply teachers, and you can’t do it with social work,” Parsons explained, stressing the necessity of consistent relationships between social workers and children in care to foster trust. Liverpool has notably reversed the national trend by reducing agency staff from 80% in 2023 to just 16% today, a change that has helped retain experienced workers, attract newcomers, and offer stability to children and families.
Beyond social care improvements, Liverpool has invested heavily in early help and family support, establishing 12 Family Hubs that act as centralized access points for various community services. In addition to social care, the city is addressing wider inequalities through multiple programs focused on health, wellbeing, and enrichment. For instance, in 2025-26, Liverpool commissioned nearly 86,000 Holiday Activities and Food places, benefiting over 9,300 children by providing nutritious meals and engaging activities. Free leisure center passes for children aged 8-17, supported by a £5 million investment in local leisure facilities, along with doubled funding for youth services that adds £1 million for community youth work opportunities, are further evidence of the city’s comprehensive approach. Liverpool is also aiming to achieve UNICEF Child Friendly City status, which would recognize the city’s progress in advancing children’s rights and creating a nurturing environment.
Despite the milestones reached, Liverpool remains focused on continuing to improve. There is ongoing work to support care leavers through the development of a new Care Leaver’s Hub, designed to offer tailored assistance in a familiar setting and help young adults thrive. As Parsons put it, while the ‘Good’ Ofsted rating is a key accomplishment, the city’s ambition is unwavering: “to continue improving services, championing children’s rights and ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed so that, next time we are inspected, we are judged to be one of the best performing services in the country.”
Read the full article on Liverpool Express here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.