Further Improvement in Children's Services

South Tyneside Council's journey of improvement in Children's Services continues.

The Council underwent a third monitoring visit by Ofsted at the end of July, the details of which have now been published in a letter from the inspectorate. Ofsted noted improvements across the wider service since it was rated Inadequate a year and a half ago.

Inspectors reviewed the progress made in three key areas; recording of decision making, ensuring there are enough regulated homes and permanent placements scrutiny and challenge.

Inspectors noted that the Council has continued to build on improvements.

Councillor Liz McHugh, Lead Member for Children, Families and Social care and Education and Skills at South Tyneside Council, said: "I am pleased to say that yet again they have seen significant improvements in Children's services.

"Our improvement journey continues, and overall Ofsted noted more oversight, improved practices, and investment in the right areas.

"Most importantly children are being heard and staff are happy and confident in their roles to support families. This is great news, although we still have a way to go. We cannot and will not be complacent.

"We are resolute in doing everything we can to improve services for our young people and put them at the heart of everything we do."

Inspectors saw a cumulative improvement in practice: in the development of a transparent open culture; in the oversight of children in and use of unregistered homes; in a more focused approach to corporate parenting; and in managerial oversight at all levels of the service.

In addition, investment in the service is creating capacity to provide focused oversight for children in care. This has resulted in positive experiences of care for most of the children that were reviewed on this visit.

Children are being provided with warm and caring environments that are enabling them to flourish and make progress.

Carers support children to access community activities and their interests and hobbies. Family time is encouraged and supported, and children's voices are heard in these arrangements.

Social workers were also praised by Inspectors who were seen to work hard to form trusting relationships with children and to determine their wants and feelings to support child-focused decisions.

Staff feel respected and valued and spoke positively about the changes in the culture of the service. Workloads are manageable and morale is high.

Corporate parenting has been refreshed following consultation with children and young people. It is now more sharply focused, purposeful, and engaging with a sustained council-wide approach to corporate parenting responsibilities.

The letter can be viewed in full at South Tyneside Council Ofsted Letter - 30 August 2024