Medway children's services 'substantially improved'

The inspection found children's needs were well met and they made good progress.

Medway Council's children's services have "substantially improved" from 2019, according to the latest Ofsted report.

An inspection this summer found children in care and care leavers "now receive good care and support".

The previous Ofsted inspection report said vulnerable children lived "in situations of actual harm".

Leader of Medway Council, Vince Maple, said he was "absolutely delighted" with the improved result.

Of the four service areas investigated in July, Ofsted deemed three to be good.

"Most children come into care at the right time and when it is in their best interests," the report said.

It added: "The majority of children in care live in stable homes with carers who are nurturing, supportive and caring."

Staff at children's services at Medway Council celebrated the result

However, inspectors found that the experiences and progress of children who needed help required improvement.

It said that 16 and 17-year-old children at risk of homelessness received "an inconsistent response" and for those at risk of exploitation, the overall response was "variable".

The quality of practice for disabled children, although improving, also remained "inconsistent".

Ofsted said challenges remained with the "availability and accessibility of emotional and mental health support for care leavers".

"There has been a relentless focus on improving our services for children and young people over the past four years and ensuring that they all receive the care and support they need remains one of the new administration’s key priorities," Mr Maple said.

Analysis

By Charlotte Wright, Political Editor, BBC South East

When Ofsted announced services were inadequate back in 2019, the then-Conservative leader of the council said he was “shocked” and “appalled”.

They knew the service required improvement but did not expect to slip into the lowest possible ranking.

The council changed hands in May this year and the Labour administration will be taking some pride in announcing the progress made.

But staff have been working on improving these services for years, with regular monitoring visits from Ofsted.

Previous visits have noted the difficult climate the service was operating in, with Covid and recruitment challenges hampering improvement.

Today’s report feels like a significant and positive step forward.

The hard work has mostly paid off.

But with one area – services for vulnerable young people – still requiring improvement, there is political consensus that there is still more to do.

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