Children’s Services awarded Ofsted Outstanding for unprecedented third time

Published: Monday 13 January 2025

Kensington and Chelsea Council’s Children’s Services has become the first in the country to receive three consecutive Outstanding ratings, marking 10 years of Outstanding.  

 

In re-awarding the top rating previously handed out in 2015 and 2019 for an unprecedented third straight time, inspectors concluded that young people in Kensington and Chelsea receive “excellent” services that make a “significant difference” to their lives.  

Inspectors noted that Kensington and Chelsea Council had invested in services and implemented a coherent strategy to help children at the earliest opportunity.  

The three consecutive ratings mark a national first for Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster councils, who provide Children's Services across the bi-borough area.

Read the full report on Ofsted's website.

The report, which follows an inspection in November 2024, also praised:  

  • A strong response to children at risk of exploitation, with decisive interventions “reducing risk for the vast majority of children”  
  • The outstanding care for young people who need protection, with children and families receiving “the right help at the right time”  
  • The Council’s “experienced and committed social workers” who are “tenacious advocates” for their children  
  • An “exemplary level of support” for care leavers who enjoy “positive, trusting and stable relationships” with social workers  

 

Kensington and Chelsea Council’s investment in its young people will be bolstered later this year by a £4.7m pot of funding to enable local providers to offer improved services over the next five years.  

Leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council, Cllr Elizabeth Campbell, said: “Ten years of outstanding is not only a national first, it sets a new standard for this council. 

“Life is more challenging than ever for young people growing up in London. It feels like every week there’s another tragic headline of a young life lost or ruined by crime. It is against this backdrop that our tremendous teams work tirelessly to give young people the best possible start in life, even when the odds seem stacked against them.”  

 Lead member for family and children’s services, Cllr Catherine Faulks, said: “It can’t be overstated what an achievement this is for all those who work in children’s services in Kensington and Chelsea. To be graded as Outstanding on three consecutive inspections is unprecedented and is a reassuring third party perspective on the work we do here to prioritise children’s safety and give young people the best possible start in life. This result will be a huge boost and credit to all those staff who are so dedicated to doing the best for children in our borough. My thanks and admiration go out to them all.”    

Bijal Shah, a front-line worker who was interviewed by Ofsted as part of the inspection, said: “When you get a message from a young person, they reach out to you to say thank you for that help, or Happy Christmas or Happy New Year, it makes you feel you’re really making a difference, which is what it’s all about. I’m so proud to have been part of this inspection and a part of this team.” 

Sarah Newman, Director of Bi-borough Children’s Services, said: “Since the pandemic, the number of children and families needing the support of social care has increased. Despite this, teams across Children’s Services have adapted and not faltered on their level of quality and care. We can't do what we do by working in isolation, so it’s important to recognise the collaboration and contribution of other services; our fantastic schools and the voluntary and community sector.”  

You can read the full report on the Ofsted website

Families in Kensington and Chelsea can find support, activities and advice on our Family Information Hub.

Now watch: Care Leaver thanks Children's Services teams for helping him "find the light in his life".