Children's services in Cheshire East are improving in specific areas following last year's inadequate rating, Ofsted has said

Inspectors carried out a monitoring visit on two days last month focussing on children in need and child protection.

They also looked at senior leaders' oversight of performance and the quality of management oversight and supervision.

A letter has now been published summarising the findings.

The inspectors highlighted areas of improvement and positive practice but also areas where improvements could still be made.

The first monitoring visit in February recognised progress had accelerated.

"This monitoring visit has found that improvements are being made in specific areas of practice such as the regularity of supervision and frequency of visits to children," said the report on the June visit.

"Leaders have appropriate plans in place to further develop and embed improvements in practice.

"Nevertheless, the quality of practice for children in need of help and protection, including disabled children, is inconsistent."

Ofsted also commended the positive working culture within the council.

Practitioners reported improved working conditions, a supportive environment, and a growing sense of team spirit.

Their commitment to improving outcomes for children in Cheshire East was clearly recognised.

But the inspectors found the high turnover of social workers was having a detrimental effect.

The report said: "Social workers understand what needs to change for children and put support in place for them during child protection and child in need planning.

"They demonstrate empathy and understanding for the children and families they work with and spend time trying to build positive relationships with them.

"Despite this, working relationships with some parents and their children have been affected by many changes in social workers."

The report also identified areas for further improvement.

It said the quality of practice and supervision still needs to be strengthened to ensure that all children experience timely improvements.

Additionally, child in need plans should be more specific, and contingency planning more robust.

Cllr Laura Crane, chair of the children and families committee, said: "The report demonstrates that there are clear areas we have improved since the inspection – such as the quality of plans, regularity of supervision, frequency of visits to children, challenge from child protection chairs, and support in pre-proceedings.

"We know there's still more to do to ensure all our practice is consistently strong, but we're on the right path and have the right plans in place.

"Our children in Cheshire East deserve the very best, and we are determined to deliver that."

Cheshire East Council is currently recruiting for skilled children's social workers.

More information on how to apply can be found here  

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