Ofsted
Struggles continue for scandal-hit council contractor
A council contractor previously at the centre of a residential care abuse scandal has continued to struggle since it closed the sites.
Herefordshire DCS leaves in wake of critical Ofsted
Herefordshire CC’s director for children’s services has left the authority following criticism of the pace of improvement.
Ofsted rates Havering's children's services inadequate
Havering LBC’s children’s services have been rated inadequate by Government regulator Ofsted after a two-week on-site inspection.
SEND soars ahead in Herts
Hertfordshire CC’s system-wide approach has made SEND everyone’s business, writes Hero Slinn.
Barnsley's Hub: where children’s social work flourishes
Barnsley MBC’s Practice Development Hub is supporting staff across the Children’s Services workforce as well as benefitting families, says Carly Speechley.
Regional working is here to stay
John Copps says regional working in children’s services can no longer be something that can be seen as a side show and local authorities need to engage now or risk getting left behind.
Future Forum North: Questions over sector regulation
Questions have been raised about the role of regulation in the local government sector at the MJ Future Forum North.
Using ‘assurance’ to aid recruitment
Inspections can prove a troubling time for organisations, but preparation and support for your staff can reap benefits in the long term. Craig Clarke of GatenbySanderson explains.
Who wouldn’t want to be a DCS?
As directors of children’s services gather at the National Children and Adult Services Conference, Philip Emms and Jane Parfrement reflect on the achievements of the aspirant DCS programme
Councils hit by improvement notices
Oldham MBC and Oxfordshire CC have received improvement notices for their services for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Lack of capacity hindering early help
A lack of capacity is hindering early help services for children and families, a joint report by three watchdogs has found.
EXCLUSIVE: 'Local government could face its own Ruth Perry case'
Local government could face a tragedy similar to the case of the headteacher who took her own life, a chief executive sacked after a section 114 has warned.
Swindon children's services 'inadequate'
Swindon BC’s children’s services have been judged inadequate by Ofsted.
Children and young people in care are at risk of becoming invisible
The Government must 'urgently look at ways to find more funding for children’s care and safeguarding, that will allow us to change the system', says Michael Hudson.
Working to help children’s services in Essex grow
Essex CC has achieved a second consecutive ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted rating for children’s social care. Helen Lincoln explains some of the key reasons for the service’s success.
Ofsted warns against placing children in unregistered homes
Ofsted has warned local authorities against placing vulnerable children including those subject to deprivation of liberty (DoL) orders in unregistered children’s homes.
Scandal-hit firm reports losses
A firm at the centre of a residential care abuse scandal has reported operating losses of £5.8m for the year to June 2022.
Statutory direction for Slough BC
Slough BC has received a statutory direction from the Government after failing to improve its services for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Children's inspection policy change must be adequately funded
A new report setting out the potential consequences of inspection of semi-independent living accommodation for 16-17 year olds finds the costs of the new regime could be nine times higher by 2027, says Simon Edwards.
Improvement notice for South Tyneside
An improvement notice has been issued to South Tyneside MBC following a damning Ofsted inspection.