Ofsted rates Essex children's social care as 'outstanding'

Watchdog rates Essex children's care 'outstanding' Image source, Press Association By Simon Dedman Essex political reporter Published 16 minutes ago Inspectors have given Essex County Council an "outstanding" rating for every area of its children's social care provision. The authority said it was the only council in England to achieve the top rating for its children and families' services across three consecutive inspections. Ofsted's inspectors found children and their families had benefited from a "wide range of locally based early help services".

It comes as the costs and demand for children's services are growing with a £20m overspend this year. Children's services include help for vulnerable young children, foster care, adoption, early years support, child protection, family support and services for children in care. The inspectors found: Children are seen and heard Young people and families receive high-quality support and services that make a significant positive difference to their lives Significant investment in early help and targeted services Safeguarding concerns about children are well managed Effective response to domestic abuse, neglect and other types of harm Prompt multi-agency response to missing children Young carers' services have been strengthened, with 1,500 identified in Essex In January, Essex County Council supported 5,750 children and young people through social care.

Two pounds in every three of its spending goes on adult and children's care. In 2018 and 2023 the council also received an outstanding rating. The latest inspection took place between 21-25 September. Ofsted, the children's services inspectorate, removed one word overall judgements from its reports last year. Essex was graded outstanding in the four areas assessed. 'Significant achievement' Ofsted director Yvette Stanley wrote to the council saying receiving outstanding ratings in every area was a "significant achievement".

Peter Harris, a Reform UK councillor who is leader of the authority, said: "This outcome demonstrates that children and families in Essex are getting the support they need and that services continue to deliver excellent outcomes for some of our most vulnerable residents." The council has been run by Reform since May. Opposition leader Lee Scott, a Conservative councillor, congratulated the authority's "great staff". He said for a significant period since the last children's services inspection, the council had been under a Conservative administration.

David King, a Liberal Democrat, described the inspection as "an extraordinary achievement at a time when all social services are under huge pressure". He added: "The challenge will be maintaining that level of performance when budget cuts lie ahead." The last Conservative administration budgeted £239m for children's services this year. In September, Essex County Council forecast a £61m increase in spending for children's services in 2027-28.

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