Issue - meetings

[To provide an update on the outcome of the recent Ofsted Inspection of Children’s Service and present the Action Plan that has been produced in response.]

1. That the ‘Good’ overall judgement from the recent Ofsted Inspection of services for children in need of help and protection be celebrated and the Council’s excellent position in the West Midlands and the country be noted.

2. That the Ofsted Action Plan which has been produced in response to recommendations from the inspection be approved.

Councillor Val Gibson presented the report and action plan and informed the meeting that the outcome was very positive for the Council. The Ofsted rating received placed Wolverhampton as second in the West Midlands and first in the West Midlands Combined Authority area based on the new criteria. Key findings from the inspection included effective and strong corporate leadership, a clear sense of vision and purpose and that good and sustained improvements had been made across the service. The action plan centred around the eleven recommendations made by Ofsted and outlined the proposed action against each recommendation. Good progress was already being made. Delivery Boards would be established to monitor progress going forward and the Children’s Trust Board would have overall responsibility.

Resolved:

1. That the ‘Good’ overall judgement from the recent Ofsted Inspection of services for children in need of help and protection be celebrated and the Council’s excellent position in the West Midlands and the country be noted.

2. That the Ofsted Action Plan which had been produced in response to recommendations from the inspection be approved.