City's child services improving, says watchdog

Bradford Council was stripped of the running of the city's children's services earlier this year

Improvements have been made in how Bradford's most vulnerable children are cared for - although more progress is still needed, Ofsted has concluded.

The city's children's services was rated 'inadequate' again earlier this year, with Bradford Children and Families Trust set up to take over the department from the council as a result.

Following a two-day monitoring visit which took place last month, the watchdog said there were "early signs" of improved practice.

The trust's chair welcomed Ofsted's latest findings.

In its letter, published on Wednesday, Ofsted said the "long history of inadequate practice" meant there was "drift and delay" in identifying risks to some vulnerable children in the city.

But it added that the trust had a "detailed understanding" of the issues, resulting in more "targeted" improvements to the service recently.

Ofsted also said that social workers reported "feeling more settled" and "better supported" in their work.

The decision to strip Bradford Council of control of its children's services was made in January 2022 by the government, just weeks after two women were jailed for the murder of Keighley toddler Star Hobson two years earlier.

A report into the 16 month-old's death described Bradford's children's services as having been "in turmoil" and said concerns raised by family members had not been investigated thoroughly.

Star Hobson was murdered by her mother's partner, Savannah Brockhill, in 2020

Eileen Milner, chair of the Bradford Children and Families Trust, said the report highlighted progress in "crucial" areas.

"I want to thank all the staff who are working so hard to make these improvements," she added.

Councillor Sue Duffy, Bradford Council's portfolio holder for children and families, described Ofsted's findings as "encouraging".

The latest report does not change the service's 'inadequate' status, as it was not classed as a full inspection.