Leeds has made significant improvements in services for vulnerable and at risk children and has laid the foundations to continue this success, according to the latest Ofsted report published Monday 10 October.
The inspection highlights considerable progress since concerns were raised during the last full inspection of safeguarding in July 2009, when services in the city were rated as ‘inadequate’. Following this, an improvement notice was issued by the government and an improvement board put in place to monitor progress. The latest inspection has found that ‘arrangements to ensure children are safeguarded are now secure’, it highlighted ‘significant progress in improving outcomes’.
Following the announced inspection last month, inspectors reported five of the nine measures they assessed are now ‘good’, with the other four rated as adequate, none were inadequate. The city’s overall effectiveness in ensuring children are safe is ‘adequate’ – and on the key measure of the ‘capacity to improve’ further, the city is now rated as ‘good’.
The report also highlights the pride that staff feel in the improvements that have been made in Leeds, whilst recognising that there is no complacency and a shared focus on continuing to improve.
All of the organisations working with children and young people across the city have a responsibility to keep them safe and the report recognises that since 2009 this work has been given the highest priority. The inspection highlighted many improvements in the way partnership between different services works, especially in terms of shared responsibility, vision and priorities, and the overall understanding that in Leeds, ‘safeguarding is everyone’s business’.
The latest inspection which covers all children’s safeguarding practices in the city was carried out during 12 to 16 September. Inspectors spoke to a range of staff of all levels and considered evidence including electronic case records, supervision files and notes, and observation of social workers undertaking assessments and referrals. As part of the inspection it was noted that cases referred to children’s social care are dealt with quickly, and interventions are done promptly to keep children safe. Inspectors noted that changes have been put in place to ensure children and young people are included in child protection conferences so their wishes and feelings are taken into account.
The report highlighted that significant progress has been made in laying the foundations for further improvement, “through the strength of leadership, the clear strategic direction that is shared by partners…and the additional capacity in the workforce”. It also acknowledges that the improvement board which was set up after the last inspection has “very effectively overseen improvements”, and that significant financial investment has been made to increase the number of social workers, and to train and develop staff.