Report highlights improvements made and remaining challenges in children’s services in Leeds

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Report highlights improvements made and remaining challenges in children’s services in Leeds

Improvements are being made in children’s social care services in Leeds, but further work is required. That’s the judgement of the Care Quality Commission and Ofsted, in a joint report published today.

Inspectors from both organisations spent several days in the city during November and December 2009 as part of a detailed review called an announced inspection. They focussed, in particular, on safeguarding issues and how children in care are looked after.

Overall, whilst safeguarding was not yet judged to be adequate, services for looked after children were judged to be ‘grade three’, which means they meet the minimum standards required.

And, importantly on the safeguarding front, in the judgement areas of children and young people being and feeling safe, the council’s services were now assessed as being adequate.

There was praise for the way youngsters being cared for by the council are encouraged and helped to lead healthy lives and also do well at school, both of which were rated as ‘good’.

The way senior managers prioritise work, partnerships with other organisations, such as the NHS and the promotion of equality and diversity issues were also highlighted as examples of good work – achieving an overall ‘grade two’ rating.

However, Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission say that more needs to be done to improve how managers plan their staffing needs and how performance is assessed and managed. There is also a recommendation to immediately review resources, to make sure there are enough people in place to meet the demands faced by the service, now and in the future.

The inspectors also say that more should be done to involve children and young people in how future services are developed and – where possible – to recruit extra families and carers from minority ethnic communities.

Since aspects of safeguarding were reviewed in an unannounced inspection in July, both Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission acknowledge that much has been done, saying ‘the council has responded well’ and ‘taken swift action’.

The report says ‘poor staff performance is being addressed and systems and processes have already been redesigned’. It concludes that ‘these early successes demonstrate the council can make improvements’.

The way the council works with partners in the NHS is highlighted as good and there is praise for the contribution made by Education Leeds to the ‘broader safeguarding agenda’.

Councillor Stewart Golton, executive board member with responsibility for children’s services said:“I’m pleased that Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission acknowledge that we are making progress and we have the capacity to do more.

“This latest report confirms what we have been doing – with positive progress being made, but still much to be done to further improve the way we look after and support children and young people in Leeds.

“While an ‘inadequate’ rating for the overall effectiveness of safeguarding services isn’t good news, positive progress is being made.

“For instance, the inspectors judged that the effectiveness of services in taking reasonable steps to ensure children and young people are safe is adequate.

“And it goes without saying that improving services for the children and young people of Leeds remains a top priority for the council.”

ENDS
For media enquiries, please contact:
Emma Whittell, Leeds City Council Press Office, on (0113) 2474713
Email: emma.whittell@leeds.gov.uk