Improvements to Herefordshire Council's children's services 'great news', says charity
An Ofsted report published earlier this week now rates the services as good overall following its latest inspection in November
Changes made to Herefordshire Council's children's services are making a 'big difference', a charity has said.
Published earlier this week, an Ofsted report found the services for children "significantly improved" since the last inspection in 2022 when overall effectiveness was rated as inadequate.
Ofsted awarded each specific service area a good judgement and the impact of leaders on social work practice with children and families judged as outstanding from the inspection held from 10 to 21 November 2024, with the overall rating now being 'good'.
It added that leaders have "worked diligently, using effective partnerships to influence and improve the quality and consistency of practice".
Jon Roberts is chief operating officer for Vennture which works with young people and families in the county, he's praised the improvements made and that they've witnessed the impact they've had themselves.
"It's really great news first of all for the communities in Herefordshire and for those children and families that need the services," he said.
"We've seen first hand as an independent charity working alongside the council and with vulnerable children and families just the difference that it's made, the stability in the workforce, the change of culture within the council and children's services.
"What we've seen is a complete turnaround, fewer children entering statutory services because the council are working with services like ourselves to prevent that and therefore we can provide services and intervention much earlier."
The report also noted two areas where development is needed, but 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.