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Buckinghamshire County Council has said that children’s services are continuing to make steady progress in improving the quality of care for looked after children across the county.

According to Ofsted in a monitoring visit letter published on Tuesday, the county council is “making steady progress in improving the quality of services to children looked after”.

The letter follows the third monitoring visit from Ofsted in April 2017, during which inspectors looked at the quality of assessment and planning for looked after children, as well as the quality of care placements and placement support – and how the county council fulfils its “corporate parenting” role for looked after children.

Ofsted inspectors note that “improved practice is evident in respect of services and support provided to children looked after” – and that “an improved focus on care planning has resulted in the majority of children’s plans having clear actions and timescales”.

Inspectors also state “the development of an increasingly stable workforce, with manageable caseloads, has been critical to the progress achieved to date”.

Furthermore, social workers spoken to by inspectors were found to be positive about working in Buckinghamshire – and morale was also good.

While progress is being made, the inspectors also note there is more work to be done to ensure consistency of practice to further improve outcomes for children.

Buckinghamshire County Council Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Warren Whyte, said:

“I am pleased that Ofsted inspectors are seeing the improvements we are making in Buckinghamshire – and that it has been recognised that we are striving to understand children’s views about their care, which is so important.

“We know there is more to be done in specific areas, but overall this is another positive step for us.

“I want to recognise and thank all of our committed staff, who are working very hard to bring all aspects of support for children and families up to the level they deserve.”

Interim Executive Director for Children’s Services, Gladys Rhodes White, added:

“We are all encouraged by the recognition from Ofsted of the improvements that have been made to date.

“All of the actions required by Ofsted are already being worked on – for example, we are working directly with children and young people to devise pathway plans which better capture young people’s wishes for support arrangements as they gradually achieve independence into adult life.

“I am very grateful for the continued commitment of the workforce, who all share the same aspiration – to deliver the right care and support for the children and young people of Buckinghamshire who need it.”

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