Improvements recognised in Brighton’s children’s services

Both Ofsted and the government have sent Brighton & Hove City Council congratulations for the improvements the council has made to its children’s social care services.

Yvette Stanley, Ofsted’s national director of social care,, said that the authority’s recent ‘Good’ judgement was a significant achievement that reflects the hard work and tenacity of the leadership team, management and frontline staff in children’s services.

On 21 August, Brighton & Hove City Council’s social care services for children were judged ‘Good’ by Ofsted for the first time, with the inspector finding that social workers’ morale is high, and that they enjoy working for the council, and that the council provides a joined-up response to the needs of vulnerable children and families, with strong cross-party political support.

Dan Chapman, chair of the council’s children, young people and skills committee, said: “We’ve made a number of improvements to our children’s social care services in recent years, and I’m delighted that Ofsted has acknowledged this. Above all, I’m thrilled that the commitment and tenacity of our social work teams has been so clearly recognised.”

Nadhim Zahawi, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families, said: “The report also demonstrates the impressively high aspirations the council has for children in care and care leavers, who are entering further and higher education at rates above those of national comparators.”