CHILDREN in Solihull are receiving better and improved services, say education watchdog Ofsted.
During the latest visit to the authority’s children’s services last month inspectors noted that children who need help and support are now getting it in a ‘timely and child focused’ manner and ‘children and families’ experiences have improved considerably.’
This is the sixth monitoring visit from Ofsted since the authority was deemed inadequate in November 2022 inspectors.
A letter from Ofsted inspector, Rebecca Quested, noted there is ‘greater stability within the workforce, stronger leadership and management support and lower workloads, which is enabling social work practice to improve’.
She said: “Senior leaders have made significant progress to improve the operation of the Integrated Front Door (IFD) in Solihull since the last inspection in November 2022.
“Some of these changes are part of the strategic improvements within children’s services, which have included an organisational restructuring and the introduction of a new restorative social work practice model.
“Partnership working has been considerably strengthened with more partners co-located within the multi-agency safeguarding hub (MASH). Within the IFD, there is “This means that the response to children who need help and support is now timely and child focused and that children and families’ experiences have improved considerably.”
The letter noted the Family Hubs, which opened their doors earlier this year, are leading families and children to receiving the right support at the earliest opportunity thanks to Early help workers based at the hubs.
It also said social workers capture the voices of children and their experiences well and they ensure that they record a clear childcentred overview of the intervention, which will help a child to understand how decisions have been made should they read their records now or in the future.
Ms Quested also noted the emergency duty team works effectively as part of the IFD and the service is fully staffed with with experienced children’s social workers.
In 2023 Sir Alan Wood, was appointed as a commissioner to help the Council improve its children’s social care following failings found at the council.
She added: “The support of the commissioner has strengthened the response, and the regional improvement partner has added strategic and operational capacity. “Senior leaders have a strong understanding and grip on the development of practice.
“The self-evaluation was accurate in demonstrating the significant progress that has been made in improving experiences of children and families who need help and support within the IFD.”
Councillor Karen Grinsell, leader of Solihull Council and cabinet member for Children and Education, said: “We are really pleased with the outcome of our sixth and final monitoring visit by Ofsted.
“The positive findings are the culmination of lots of hard work over the last 18 months as we have been on a robust improvement journey.
“At the latest visit, inspectors could see that significant progress has been made to improve the operation of our ‘front door’ and in particular, how we work with partner agencies together as one team.
“We have also worked hard to give strong leadership and management support and lower workloads, which is enabling social work practice to improve and to provide a timely and focused response to children and families.
“We look forward to welcoming Ofsted back for a full inspection later in the year.”
