Ofsted praise for borough's children's services

31 May 2012

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea's safeguarding and looked after children's services are considered amongst the best in the country after an Ofsted report judged them to be good across the board.

The inspection is intended to ensure that all the relevant services in an area that ensure the safety and well being of children are up to scratch.

Inspectors noted that the Council and its local partners have a considerable history of achieving good outcomes for children who need safeguarding and protecting or who are looked after. They found an established culture of continuous improvement and a progressive attitude, supported by a strong political commitment and desire to build quality services.

New demands on the services were said to be met with rapid and imaginative responses and the Council was seen to be continually searching for efficient use of its resources.

The inspectors reported that Councillors and officers continually focus on the needs of children and seek the views of families and service users.

A survey of 19 children and young people undertaken by Ofsted as part of the inspection found that 17 reported that they felt safe or very safe (two did not respond).

Referrals to the Council are responded to quickly and children seen promptly. Risks were judged to be appropriately assessed in conjunction with partners.

The views of children, their parents and carers are actively sought by Councillors and professionals as part of commissioning services and the inspectors found clear evidence that these consultations influenced and shaped services.

Services for Looked after Children benefited from strong leadership and management across the authority. Inspectors noted that there was a shared vision among Councillors that drives the Council, as a corporate parent, to ensure that each Looked after Child and young person has every opportunity to achieve.

The children and young people who contributed to the inspection reported generally good levels of satisfaction with the service and a significant majority considered that being in care had improved their lives.

The relationships between children and their social workers was highlighted with over 85 per cent of children and young people reporting that the relationship was good.

Councillor Elizabeth Campbell, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea's Cabinet Member for Family and Children's Services, said: "There was much for us to be encouraged about in this latest Ofsted report. It is clear that the services children and young people receive in the borough are of high quality.

"But we can and will always strive to do better. Some of these children are amongst the most vulnerable people we deal with as a Council and our responsibility to them is a great one. This is why we will never be complacent and why we will always look to improve.

"The challenge we face now is to keep up our high standards at a time when budgets are reducing. Our decision to share services with our neighbours in Hammersmith & Fulham and Westminster means that we can preserve vital front line functions."