Published: Tuesday 25 August 2026
Children in care in Kensington and Chelsea have told Ofsted inspectors they feel happy, safe and settled in their homes, following a focused visit to the Council’s children’s services.
Inspectors found we have continued to build on the strong foundations recognised when our children’s services were rated Outstanding by Ofsted following an inspection in November 2024.
They highlighted the meaningful and consistent support children receive, positive relationships with social workers and carers, and the way children’s views are listened to when decisions are made about their lives.
The report also praised strong leadership, an experienced and stable workforce, and effective partnership working, which have helped us to continue improving services and achieve positive outcomes for children in care.
Cllr Catherine Faulks, lead member for families and children, said:
“This is a really positive report and, most importantly, it tells us that children in our care feel happy, safe and settled.
“Following our Outstanding Ofsted rating for Children’s Services, it is encouraging to see inspectors recognise that we have continued to build on those strong foundations and improve the support we provide.
“That is a testament to the skill and commitment of our social workers, carers and everyone who goes the extra mile to meet the needs of our children and young people. We will keep learning and improving so that every child in our care has the support and opportunities they deserve.”
What inspectors found
The focused visit took place on 14 and 15 July 2026 and looked specifically at the experiences of children in care, including how decisions are made about where they live and the experiences of disabled children in care.
Inspectors found that most children live in stable homes with carers who understand their individual needs. Social workers see children regularly and know them well, while direct work with children was described as creative, thoughtful and committed.
The report also highlighted strong support for children living with relatives, good support for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and improvements in the way the Council oversees plans for children to have stable, long-term homes.
Inspectors identified two areas where further improvements should be made, including enhancing the quality and consistency of reflective supervision, and strengthening oversight of long-term plans for older children in care.
The report also recognised how children’s services responded during the recent criminal cyber attack on the Council, with inspectors saying senior managers showed resilient and effective leadership to make sure children continued to receive the care and support they needed.
You can read the full report on the Ofsted website.