Children’s services in Bexley have been praised by a government watchdog as being outstanding four years after they were told improvement was needed.

The council’s support and care for young people was inspected by Ofsted over a two-week period in July.

Inspectors have now deemed the council as being outstanding, the best of four ratings available.

Required improvement

Four years after a report found the services were troubled and ‘required improvement’, Ofsted said: “Services for children and families in Bexley have improved significantly. Leaders and senior managers provide inspirational leadership that is both ambitious and highly effective in improving outcomes for children.”

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Cllr Philip Read

Cllr Philip Read, cabinet member for children’s services, said a key way the council improved the services despite working against budget restrictions from central government was investing in prevention.

He said: “I’m very proud. We know that this is just a snapshot in time and the real battle begins now to make sure we are still where we need to be at the next inspection.

“We have attracted an increasingly capable and professional permanent workforce of experienced staff and reduced to a slender minimum what was an unhealthy reliance on expensive agency staff.”

Ofsted said services for families and young people were outstanding in three areas, and good in the remaining fourth.

The performance of agency staff can vary and the councillor said it is important children have consistent contact with the same person, who can build a consistent relationship.

Support 

Inspectors said: “Children who need help and protection receive an outstanding service, with highly effective help and support.

“Professionals across the partnership highly value the leadership and strong ethos that permeates their work, namely ‘doing the right thing for children by keeping families together where it is safe to do so.

“To support this managers have created a whole system partnership that is wholeheartedly committed to building effective networks around children.”

The inspectors also praised the council’s partnering bodies, and praised the authority’s work to keep families together where possible.

Ofsted

In the past the council was criticised for being slow to deal with situations, and has been rated as both ‘inadequate’ and ‘requires improvement’ at inspections since 2010.

Mike Sheridan, Ofsted regional director for London said: “I’m delighted to see the substantial improvements that have occurred within Bexley since the previous inspection of 2014. Clearly since this time, leaders, social workers and others have worked incredibly hard to prioritise children’s needs.

“They have demonstrated inspirational and innovative leadership which has led to highly effective social work and support services which are meeting the needs of children, young people and their families.

“I am particularly pleased that inspectors found young people get good quality help and support quickly when concerns first emerge. This often negates the need for longer term interventions by statutory services.”