Council's children's services 'improved at pace'

A council's children's services have "improved at pace" since a previous inspection, according to a newly published Ofsted report.

Inspector Alison Smale findings came after a visit to Herefordshire Council last month. "The quality of practice for children in care in Herefordshire has improved at pace since the last monitoring visit in early 2024, where little progress was found," she said.

The report concluded that following the appointment of interim director Tina Russell last year, "leaders and senior managers have worked with fresh momentum and conviction to create the conditions for social work to flourish".

But Ms Smale cautioned their were still areas for improvement.

They included "reliable evaluation of practice" through regular audits, as well as sorting out schooling for older children in the county separated from their families and seeking asylum.

The inspector praised the council for its "stronger child-focused practice" for improving the experience and outcomes for children in care.

"Workforce stability" had also improved thanks to a "refreshed and enhanced recruitment and retention strategy", with "a much higher proportion of permanent social workers "and lower staff turnover".

Welcoming the report, the council's cabinet member for children and young people, councillor Ivan Powell, said: "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."

A new plan for the department, including plans to work more with local community partners, which is due to be passed by the council's cabinet on Thursday, "will guide us on the next steps of our improvement programme", he added.

Children's commissioner Deborah McMillan, who remains attached to the department following its earlier inadequate rating, said: "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."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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