'Major progress' in Herefordshire children's services, report finds

Children’s Services in Herefordshire have made major progress, according to Ofsted.

A new report, after a 'seventh and final' monitoring visit back in June says support for children in care has improved rapidly, with better decision-making and stronger relationships between social workers and children.

It follows a series of inspections after the service was rated inadequate in 2022.

Herefordshire Council note from the report said how the quality of practice for children in care in Herefordshire has improved 'at pace', and how the appointment of a new Interim Director of Children’s Services has led to a fresh momentum and conviction to create the conditions for social work to flourish.

The main findings

• Inspectors found that social workers demonstrate thoughtful and purposeful direct work with children to understand their experiences and views.
• Inspectors also found that regular looked after children reviews and updated assessments help practitioners to understand and meet children’s needs
• The report noted, when there are concerns about children’s wellbeing or safety, timely and effective action is taken to address this and that multi-agency threshold decision-making and agreements result in effective action to safeguard these children
• The placement and care of children who are separated from their families and seeking asylum has improved and children receive a sensitive and timely response
• Children’s health needs are well met, and children and young people receive medical support when needed
• The emotional wellbeing of children is well considered and children in care are supported to improve their educational attainment
• Children benefit from stable placements and carers who meet their needs
• Performance management reporting systems and quality assurance are increasingly robust, with work continuing to strengthen them further
• There is now a much higher proportion of permanent social workers

Ofsted also noted that social workers consistently speak well of senior managers and are positive about the changes made to improve the service with an increasingly strong learning culture embedded across the organisation.

The report identifies a few areas where focused work is needed, and this feedback will be used proactively to help guide Herefordshire children’s services improvement programme.

'Really pleased'

Councillor Ivan Powell, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “We’re really pleased this report recognises the significantly improved quality of practice for children in care in Herefordshire. The service has improved at pace over the past 12 months. We have worked together to create the conditions for social work to flourish and this is having a positive impact on our care experienced children.

“The Herefordshire Children’s Services and Partnership Improvement Plan (Phase 3) will be presented to council’s cabinet today for endorsement and this will guide us on the next steps of our improvement programme. The plan recognises the importance of working with children, young people and their families, hearing their views and supporting parents and carers to care for their own children well. It also includes the development and implementation of the government’s Families First Programme, as our children’s services staff transition to working with partners within local communities to provide early family help for those in need.”

'Significant progress has been made'

Deborah McMillan, Department for Education, Children’s Commissioner, added: “Significant progress has been made both in the quality of leadership and pace of operational delivery in line with the Improvement Plan, and this improvement has been recognised by the inspectorate. Importantly, the quality of practice for children growing up in care has improved at pace.

"The focus on supporting families and children by providing the right help at the right time, and building meaningful, trusting relationships is having a positive impact.”

You can view a full copy of the Ofsted report here.

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