Council meeting statutory requirements

FIFTEEN months after Warrington was slammed by Ofsted over its failing services for vulnerable children, the watchdog group says the borough council and its partners are now meeting all their statutory requirements
Performance is rated as “adequate” under 20 headings and “good” in the remaining two.
In November, 2009, Ofsted judged Warrington to be “inadequate” under 15 main headings, only “adequate” under 16 other headings and “good” under two.
Kath O’Dwyer, the council’s executive director of children and young people’s services “The findings of the inspectors reinforce what we already knew – that we are on the right path and now have the strong foundations for an outstanding service in the future.
“I can’t thank the staff and managers here enough for all the hard work they have put in to date but we all know we can’t be complacent – there is still much to do if we are to ensure the best possible service to our most vulnerable children and young people.”
The new Ofsted report is based on a two week inspection during which 370 people were interviewed, including parents and carers, young people, councillors and staff from the council and partner agencies.
Inspectors noted that a wide range of improvements have been made since their last visit through the dedicated efforts and effective leadership of the children’s services senior management team.
Many improvements have been delivered through increases in staffing and the co-location of staff to one single site. A new service delivery structure has been put in place, procedures have been simplified and management oversight has greatly increased as well.
The inspectors noted that “substantial improvements have been achieved across a range of objectives… and children feel safe and know how to access help… social workers feel valued, supported and well led.”
Engagement with children and young people has also been increased through the setting up of a “Children in Care Council” in order to better understand needs and to make sure they are being met.
Cllr Keith Bland, deputy leader of the council said: “Our officers have worked tirelessly with partners to transform the safeguarding services we provide to the children and young people of Warrington.
“I don’t think I can convey the scale of the task that Kath O’Dwyer, her management team and all of the front line staff have undertaken together to deliver this encouraging result in such a relatively short space of time.
“Their determination cannot be underestimated and I would like to thank them here and now for all that they have done.”
Kath O’Dwyer added: “We are already addressing the recommendations in this new report and will be liaising with the Department for Education to discuss taking us out of special measures in recognition of the improvements that have been achieved.”
The full Ofsted report can be seen at www.ofsted.gov.uk
Pictured: Kath O’Dwyer and Keith Bland