Children's social care in Birmingham continues to improve
An Ofsted report following a third visit to examine the progress of children’s services has found Birmingham City Council ‘is making continued progress’ and the quality of social work has improved.
Ofsted inspectors visited in December last year and reviewed the progress made in the area of children subject to current child protection plans.
The report found that the city council has sustained the progress already made around reducing caseloads for staff. ‘This, together with reductions in the numbers of agency social work staff, has given greater stability to the workforce and more stable relationships with families and children’, the report added.
It also found that:
- Child protection plans are outcome focused and reviewed regularly
- Assessments for review conferences are generally completed in an appropriate timescale, containing a clear rationale and management oversight
- Regular management oversight is evident in the cases seen by inspectors and is helping to ensure some progress in the majority of cases
While the report said there were still concerns around some child protection plans ending too early, it made clear that ‘the authority has demonstrated that it has made some continued improvements in the quality of social work practice since the last inspection’.
Councillor Carl Rice, cabinet member for children, families and schools, said: “It is pleasing that Ofsted has again confirmed our steady progress; staff are working very hard to ensure that children and families most in need are helped and supported.
“As with previous monitoring reports, we know there is still more to do as we continue to embed good practice, but we are pleased that the commitment and enthusiasm of our social workers is once again recognised.”
The letter can be found here, please scroll down to 'latest assessment report - monitoring visit': https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/local-authorities/birmingham
