Knowsley’s Children’s Services Inspection is best in country to
date
12 March 2010
An Ofsted inspection of safeguarding and looked after children
services in Knowsley has assessed the overall effectiveness as good
with many outstanding features.
The inspection team rated 11 of the inspected areas
‘outstanding’ 19 ‘good’ and three as ‘adequate’.
Capacity for improvement was rated ‘outstanding’ for both
safeguarding and looked after children services, making Knowsley
the first local authority in the country to achieve the highest
possible grades in both categories.
Inspectors said the strategic leadership and management of
safeguarding is outstanding and that the overall effectiveness of
safeguarding services was good, with strong and visible leadership
from Knowsley Safeguarding Children Board and effective partnership
working ensuring safeguarding is a priority in Knowsley. Their
report said the lead member for children and other elected members
demonstrated outstanding ambition to improve safeguarding within
the borough.
They highlighted an outstanding understanding of local
communities’ needs which has led to the right mix of service
provision to safeguard vulnerable children and young people.
Their report also noted good and outstanding examples of
projects and services to prevent children and young people from
being harmed.
The inspection team described the overall effectiveness of
services for looked after children as good. “Political and
managerial leadership is visible and strong …Corporate parenting
responsibilities are taken very seriously and…the engagement of
looked after children and young people in strategic planning and
scrutiny processes is outstanding..” said the report.
Inspectors noted educational achievement ‘is a particular
success’ and that performance is good ‘not only against comparable
areas but also in the context of Merseyside as a whole, and
nationally.’
They praised the ‘outstanding track record of continuous
improvement against key targets, including educational attainment,
health and offending’. The inspectors also remarked on looked after
children’s high levels of aspiration.
Damian Allen, Executive Director for Children and Family
Services, said:
“I am delighted that Knowsley is the first local authority in
the country to have its capacity for improvement rated
‘outstanding’ for both safeguarding and looked after children
services. It is a testament to our intense work and focus on
improving the services we deliver to children, young people and
their families over the past few years.
“Our ethos in Knowsley is that all children deserve the best
possible start in life, and we continue to work tirelessly to
ensure this happens. It is therefore particularly pleasing that
Ofsted recognised that looked after children in Knowsley are doing
better at school and catching up with their peers. Ensuring that
children are safeguarding has been one of our key priorities so it
is also pleasing that our progress has been recognised and that
safeguarding outcomes are judged ‘good’. Inspectors also praised
the work we are doing to eradicate poverty, reduce youth offending
rates and our provision of extended schools provision.”
Cllr Graham Wright, Cabinet Member for Children and Family
Services, said:
“Knowsley Council and our partners have a motivated, hard
working and dedicated workforce supported by effective and
committed management and I am pleased that this has been affirmed
by the Government inspection team.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone across
the borough whose daily work under-pins our collective efforts to
improving the lives of children and young people in Knowsley for
their continued commitment and support.”
You can view the full report on the
Ofsted website.