Improvements seen within children's services

A full inspection of services will be carried out next year, the city council said

Positive progress is being made within children's services in Stoke-on-Trent after inspectors said last year that improvements were needed.

Ofsted carried out a "focused visit" at the start of October, finding services for children were a high priority and that political support was strong.

Since its last visit in 2023, a new senior leadership team had been appointed which introduced "a transformation project" to align teams and restructure services, Ofsted said.

Although the full impact of the changes could not yet be seen, progress had been made in some areas, the report stated.

Most children receive support and protection that addresses risks and needs, most assessments and plans were timely and comprehensive and services made a positive difference and improved children’s outcomes, Ofsted said.

However, it stressed that progress was patchy.

"Despite these improvements, there is still some variability in the quality of practice," the report said.

"For some children, their needs are well met, risk is recognised and responded to appropriately and they make good progress.

"For other children, there is limited management oversight and their plans do not progress in a timely manner, or they end too quickly."

Positive difference

Significant financial investment had also helped "a recent transformation" of services which had also "galvanised leaders’ ambition for children and families".

"Although the experienced senior leadership team brings a degree of recent stability through ongoing review, oversight and governance of children’s services, it is too soon to see the impact of this new strategic alliance."

Councillor Sarah Hill, cabinet member for children’s services said she welcomed the findings that teams were making a positive difference and improving children’s outcomes.

“The outcomes of our last two inspections highlighted these as critical areas where we needed to improve to keep children safe, so it’s really good to see that this improvement work has been successful."

Work would continue to make improvements ahead of a full inspection next year, the council said.