Peterborough council aims to transform after Ofsted criticism

Peterborough council aiming for 'transformation' after child services rated 'inadequate' by Ofsted

A council said it was aiming for a "transformation" after its children's services department was downgraded to "inadequate" by regulator Ofsted.

Peterborough City Council said it aspired to be the "best corporate parent we can be".

The council said it would form a working group in which care leavers feature.

Care leavers would also be classed as having a "characteristic" protected under equality law, a spokeswoman said.

In 2018, Ofsted rated all Peterborough's services for children as "good".

But a new inspection report said there had been a "deterioration in the quality of practice" and in the "experience and progress of children and young people".

One factor was a "lack of sufficient leadership focus".

The council spokeswoman said a motion had been passed to give care leavers "protected characteristic status within the council".

'Overall transformation'

"This forms part of our overall transformation of children's social care and our care leavers services," she said.

"We are absolutely committed to improving our services to ensure every child in Peterborough who needs it, receives the right care at the right time to meet their individual needs."

The spokeswoman said the council had agreed to set up "cross-party working group" which would include councillors, officers and care leavers.

She said the "aspiration" was to be the "best corporate parent we can be".

'Systematic change'

A campaigner has urged the council to take a different approach.

Terry Galloway said dozens of local authorities had agreed to treat children in care as having a "protected characteristic".

Mr Galloway, who was in care as a child and campaigns for "systematic change", said such a policy was better for children and councils.