CHILDREN and young people’s services at Solihull Council has been rated Good for the first time in its history.
Ofsted published its report following the latest inspection of the authority’s children’s services, which saw the authority judged as good in all areas apart from the experiences and progress of children in care, which was deemed as requires improvement to be good.
This comes three years after inspectors revealed ‘serious and widespread failings’, indicating that services for children and families had significantly deteriorated since an inspection three years prior.
Councillor Karen Grinsell, leader of Solihull Council and cabinet member for Children and Education, said: “We are absolutely thrilled with this outcome, and I am so proud of everyone who has worked tirelessly over the last few years to make the necessary improvements.
“We have been on an intense and fast-paced improvement journey, but as Ofsted has commented, through determination and strong leadership, we have been able to transform our services so that children receive the support that they deserve.
“We know that there is always more to do, so we will continue to make improvements and be ambitious for the future. Children and young people are at the heart of everything the Council does, and we will do all we can to enable them to thrive.”
In the latest report inspectors praised the Council’s leadership team for their deliberate and decisive action to transform children’s services, since the last inspection in 2022 when services were found to be inadequate.
The report commented that corporate prioritisation, strengthened governance, targeted investment, workforce restructuring and strategic partnership working have combined to deliver wide-ranging improvements for children, families and care experienced young people in Solihull.
In addition, early help has been considerably strengthened through the development of four family hubs, plus the opening of three new children’s homes has given children in care more stable, local options.
However, the authority needs to improve on the quality of joint assessments for homeless 16- and 17-year-olds and access to mental health services for children which was noted as ‘inconsistent’ by inspectors.
Over the years Ofsted has carried out a number of monitoring visits to the Council which commented on the progress being made following its previous rating.
In 2023 Sir Alan Wood, was appointed by the Department for Education as a commissioner to help the Council improve its children’s social care following failings found at the council.
Sir Alan said: “I am delighted that Solihull children’s services have been judged by Ofsted to be Good.
“This is well deserved.
“It has been achieved through focused hard work and excellent leadership, and decision making of both officers and members. Solihull’s children’s services are determined to continue to improve and ensure children and families receive the support they need to thrive.”
Read the full report on the Ofsted website.
