Herefordshire Council's cabinet member for children 'pleased' by children's services improvements
Herefordshire Council’s children’s services are now overall rated as ‘good’ by Ofsted following their latest inspection back in November, after previously being given an inadequate rating back in 2022
Last updated 14th Jan 2026
A "significant amount" of hard work has gone into improving Herefordshire Council's children's services, the authority's cabinet member for children and young people has said.
In a report published yesterday (12 January), Ofsted have given the services an overall rating of good following an inspection of them held from the 10 to 21 November 2024.
It awarded each specific service area a good judgement and the impact of leaders on social work practice with children and families judged as outstanding.
'Vast improvements'
Ofsted said services for children in Herefordshire have "significantly improved" since the last inspection in 2022, when overall effectiveness was rated inadequate.
It found in its latest inspection that “children’s services are rightly considered a high priority for the council” and said “a visible and effective leadership team, supported by corporate and political leaders has enabled vast improvements in the services delivered to children and their families".
Councillor Ivan Powell is the authority's cabinet member for children and young people and has held the role since May 2023, he said the rating reflects the "hard work" that has taken place during its improvement journey.
"We're very pleased with the outcome of the inspection," he said.
"Obviously it's been a significant amount of hard work, focused work, really strong leadership, professionalism and importantly, engagement with, and support and challenge, from children and families who engage with our services.
"It's really important that we listen to their experience, that helps us improve our practice and that helps us understand whether we are making a difference."
The leader of Herefordshire Council, councillor Jonathan Lester, added: “When I was elected leader in 2023 I reaffirmed the council’s number one priority to restore public confidence in our children’s services.
"Safeguarding the most vulnerable in our society is the most important responsibility we hold as a council, and it was clear we had to continue to act decisively on behalf of families and children in Herefordshire.
"That meant backing strong leadership, more investment and a culture that truly put children first along with robust oversight and scrutiny to ensure lasting change."
The report noted two areas where development is needed in management oversight of the local authority designated officer (LADO) function and identification and assessment for children living in private fostering arrangements.
Inspectors acknowledged that leaders were aware of the strengths in their services and areas for development and noted arrangements are already in place to address issues they identified for development.