Issue - meetings

[To present the outcome of the recent Ofsted Inspection of Children's Services and detail actions required for improvement]

That the ‘Good’ overall judgement from the recent Ofsted Inspection of Children’s Services be celebrated and our continued excellent position in the West Midlands and the country be noted.

The Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Beverley Momenabadi, presented a report on Inspection of Local Authority Children's Services, City of Wolverhampton Council. The report provided an update on the outcome of the recent Ofsted inspection of Children’s Services and details actions required for improvement.

The report detailed the outcome of the inspection of Children’s Service, with overall effectiveness being graded as good with outstanding and innovative areas of practice. It provided strong external assurance that children and young people in the city were being safeguarded and cared for.

The Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Beverley Momenabadi placed on record thanks to all the employees who worked in Children’s Services.

The Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Beverley Momenabadi proposed the recommendation and the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, Councillor Chris Burden seconded the recommendation.

The report was debated by Council. Councillor Beverley Momenabadi replied to the debate.

Resolved:

That the ‘Good’ overall judgement from the recent Ofsted Inspection of Children’s Services be celebrated and our continued excellent position in the West Midlands and the country be noted.

[To present the outcome of the recent Ofsted Inspection of Children's Services and detail actions required for improvement]

That the ‘Good’ overall judgement from the recent Ofsted Inspection of Children’s Services be celebrated and our continued excellent position in the West Midlands and the country be noted.

Councillor Beverley Momenabadi presented an update on the outcome of the recent Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted) inspection of Children’s Services. The service had received an overall judgement of ‘Good’,  the best rating in the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) area. The Service was also the only local authority in the WMCA area to achieve an ‘Outstanding’ judgement for areas of practise. The impact of leaders on social work practise with children and families was rated ‘Outstanding’, and the experience and progress of children who need our help and protection’, ‘the experience and progress of children in care and care leavers’,  and ‘Overall effectiveness’ were all rated ‘Good’.  Five areas of improvement had been identified from the Inspection, for which an action plan would be submitted to Ofsted in August.

Councillor Momenabadi also reported that during the Covid-19 pandemic we became more appreciative of the risks many social workers and other professionals, put themselves through to care for others. The Inspection report was testament to their dedication, hard work and commitment to children in the city.  She placed on record her thanks to the Council’s social workers for their incredible efforts and work which would give children in the city the best start in life.

Resolved:

That the ‘Good’ overall judgement from the recent Ofsted Inspection of Children’s Services be celebrated and our continued excellent position in the West Midlands and the country be noted.