Ofsted have published the outcome of their latest monitoring visit to Bradford’s children’s services.
The visit, which took place on 7 September 2021, was the sixth since their main inspection of children’s services in 2018. The focus of the visit was children in care.
In a letter published today, 22 October, Ofsted acknowledged that since their last visit focussing on children in care, in February 2020, improvements are being seen in some key areas.
Inspectors noted improvement in the quality and frequency of children’s review meetings; in children being helped to understand why they are in care and in children being helped to achieve timely permanence through adoption.
The report found that the speed of improvement remains too slow and highlighted the need to urgently improve the standard of care in residential services. They said they want to see social workers’ workloads reduced and the workforce stabilised. They also want children and young people to help influence the improvements in the service.
Other areas where improvement was found to still be required included the commissioning of placements, corporate parenting, care planning and managers’ oversight and practice with children living at home.
Kersten England, Chief Executive of Bradford Council, said: “The inspectors acknowledged that progress has been made in some challenging areas but there is clearly still much more to do and it is essential that we speed up the pace of improvement.
“We are pleased that the inspection team recognised the good work being done to support the emotional wellbeing of children in care and help them feel settled. We have a hard-working and dedicated team in our children’s services and they can take encouragement from the fact their efforts are having a positive impact on children’s lives.
“It is also good to hear that inspectors found morale was good among our social workers and that they like working for Bradford. We know that caseloads remain too high for some social workers and the recruitment and retention of social workers remains a priority.
“We are committed to the welfare of children and focussed on continuing the upward trajectory of improving services but we are in no doubt that it is vital that we speed up the pace of the improvements.”
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council, said: “We are absolutely committed to improving children’s services across the district and ensuring that we offer the best services possible to our children and families.
“While welcoming the recognition from Ofsted that things have got better in some areas it is critical that every effort continues to be made to tackle the weaknesses they have identified.
“I will be seeking assurances from the management team that the substantial investment the council has made in the service results in the necessary improvements over the coming months.”
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