Oftsed has rated Suffolk County Council's children's services as 'requires improvement' in their latest report after rating them as 'outstanding' in 2019.
The big picture: Inspectors found inconsistencies in critical areas like safeguarding assessments and support for vulnerable teens and care leavers.
However, they also praised aspects of care for children in the system:
Services for children in care were rated "good"
Social work practice for children in care "provides support and stable care for most children which allows them to thrive"
Yes, but: Several areas have deteriorated since 2019 and now require improvement, including:
Inconsistent application of thresholds when assessing safeguarding concerns
Inadequate assessment and support for homeless 16 and 17-year-olds
Timeliness of child protection legal proceedings
Quality and consistency of pathway planning for care leavers
Care leavers' understanding of their entitlements and available support
Why it matters: The decline from 'outstanding' in 2019 to 'requires improvement' indicates a drop in the overall quality of children's services in Suffolk and new issues in parts of the service over a relatively short period.
The view from the council
What they're saying: Cllr Bobby Bennett, cabinet member for children's services, said:
"It is disappointing that Ofsted didn't find all our services to be consistently good. However, what really counts is that the report shows that our children are safe and well-taken care of and - in particular - our children in care are thriving."
Bennett added: "We need to improve some of our processes and systems, and address inconsistencies in the way we do things. These things can be improved with small uncomplicated amends and a plan of action agreed by Ofsted."
Local MPs weigh in
What they're saying: Jack Abbott, MP for Ipswich, met with Suffolk County Council today to discuss the report's findings and offered them his support.
He issued the following statement:
“The latest OFSTED report into Suffolk County Council’s children’s services is concerning.
“The report shows that services for vulnerable children have deteriorated over the past five years, and serious improvements are required right across the board.
“I have already met with Suffolk County Council to discuss the findings, and will work closely with them to turn this situation around. Our children in Suffolk need and deserve so much better than the findings of this report.”
We have approached Patrick Spencer, MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, for comment and will update this article if he issues a statement.
Where do we go from here?
What's next: The council will submit an improvement action plan to Ofsted by the end of September. It will also establish a partnership board to oversee improvements and conduct an internal quality assurance review.
The bottom line: While Suffolk's children in care receive good support, improvements are needed in other areas to regain the service's previous high standards.
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