Children's services downgraded from 'outstanding'

Sue Willgoss, from the Suffolk Parent Carer Forum, says she feels the latest Ofsted report is "generous"

A county's children's services have been downgraded to "requires improvement" by standards watchdog Ofsted.

Suffolk County Council had previously had an "outstanding" rating after its last evaluation in 2019.

The Conservative-run authority said it accepted the findings and had started making changes.

Opposition councillors have called the report "worrying".

The Ofsted report found there were issues with:

• The impact of leaders on social work practice with children and families

• The experiences and progress of children who need help and protection

• The experiences and progress of care leavers

The "experiences and progress of children in care" was rated as "good".

Bobby Bennett, cabinet member for children and young people services at the council, said: “It is disappointing that Ofsted didn’t find all our services to be consistently good.

“However, what really counts is that the report shows that our children are safe and well-taken care of and - in particular - our children in care are thriving.

“We need to improve some of our processes and systems, and address inconsistencies in the way we do things.

"These things can be improved with small uncomplicated amends and a plan of action agreed by Ofsted."

Sue Willgoss, from the Suffolk Parent Carer Forum, says she thought the report could have been more critical and pointed to those young adults who are leaving the care system and she wanted to see improvements quickly.

"I see those who come to me for support, who have been placed in a dingy flat above a pub - that is not a nurturing caring environment," she said.

"The council need to make sure they follow these young people through... support them, especially those with special educational needs, up to the age of 25."

Jack Abbott MP was formerly Labour's spokesperson for education and children's services on Suffolk County Council before being elected as Ipswich MP

Jack Abbott, the new MP for Ipswich and a former county councillor, said: “The report shows that services for vulnerable children have deteriorated over the past five years, and serious improvements are required right across the board.

“I have already met with Suffolk County Council to discuss the findings, and will work closely with them to turn this situation around.

"Our children in Suffolk need and deserve so much better."

Ash Lever, child protection spokesman for the Green, Liberal Democrat and Independent Group at the council, said: “This report is especially worrying because the council’s social care services for children were until recently rated outstanding.

"The report states clearly that ‘leaders have not had sufficient grip across all parts of children’s services'.

"Hopefully the appointment of a new permanent, full-time director for children’s services will help turn things around again."

The council said an action plan would be sent to Ofsted by the end of September.