North Lincolnshire children’s services rated ‘outstanding’

Education watchdog Ofsted has awarded North Lincolnshire Council an ‘outstanding’ rating for services for children in need of help and protection.

The accolade makes the council only the third in the country to achieve the rating, with Ofsted reporting that ‘North Lincolnshire Council has impressively sustained good and outstanding services for children and families since the last inspection in 2012’. More specifically, the report highlighted the council’s ‘focus on keeping children and young people at the heart of everything’ as the ‘most striking element of this outstanding local authority’.

The Ofsted inspection also discovered highly effective and principled leadership, which ‘articulates ambition for children’ in the region, as well as coordinated partnership working at both a strategic and operational level, a well-trained and stable workforce and an ability to effectively seek and consider the views of children in all department processes.

Rob Waltham, leader of the council, said: “To be one of only a few councils in England to achieve outstanding is incredible. We make children our business; they are at the heart of what we do and our number one priority. We are absolutely committed to ensuring they achieve the very best and at the same time are safe, protected and supported.

“We invest heavily to give them the best chance in life from excellent foster carers and adopters who make a real difference to our children in care. We have excellent early years’ provision, from new play areas and free swimming to new school buildings, education and learning and outstanding services to our most vulnerable children. We should give all children the chance and support to reach their full potential in life. It doesn’t matter who they are or where they come from, we treat everyone the same.”