North Tyneside Council has been placed among the top ten of children’s service departments nationally following a recent Ofsted inspection.
Ofsted, which carried out the inspection in March, gave the authority’s services to safeguard children an overall judgement of ‘Good’ with ‘Outstanding’ features. Given the highest possible rating of ‘Outstanding’, the council’s care leaver service was commended for the excellent support it gives young people to help them to move successfully towards independence.
Other services for children who need help and protection, children who are looked after or in permanent placements, adoption, and the leadership, management and governance from the council’s politicians and senior officers were judged to be ‘Good’.
Councillor Ian Grayson, Cabinet member for Children and Young People, said: “We work incredibly hard to ensure all children in North Tyneside are cared for, safeguarded and healthy.
“It is fantastic to see the quality of our services recognised by Ofsted and this result is a credit to everyone in our team that works so hard to make sure North Tyneside’s children have the best chances in life.”
North Tyneside’s Elected Mayor, Norma Redfearn, said: “I am delighted that our children’s services department has received this excellent rating following the Ofsted inspection.
“If you combine this fantastic result with the fact that our schools are rated as amongst the top in the country, it is a further testament to the quality of the services we provide for young people in North Tyneside.
“We strive to provide the very best services possible for our young people, ensuring that they can enjoy all North Tyneside has to offer.”
Ofsted inspectors were impressed with the dedication and knowledge of professionals in North Tyneside, and with the opportunities for children and young people to shape the services delivered in the borough.
The council was described as “a highly ambitious and nurturing corporate parent”, with inspectors commending its range of work experience and apprenticeship opportunities for care leavers.
Inspectors said the high quality of social work in North Tyneside had “demonstrably improved the lives” of children, and that improving outcomes for children and young people in the borough was at the heart of North Tyneside Council.
Jacqui Old, Director of Children’s Services for North Tyneside Council, said: “I am absolutely thrilled to see Ofsted recognise the contribution children and young people make to shaping services in North Tyneside. It`s a real privilege to work with some fantastic staff and partners, who not only continuously work so hard but always keep children centre stage in everything they do.
“Our focus is always on providing better outcomes for children, while making sure they are safe and cared for. North Tyneside is one of the safest boroughs to live for children and families and, coupled with high levels of educational attainment, it`s a great place to grow up.”
The inspection reviewed the effectiveness of the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board (LSCB), an organisation that brings together a range of agencies to safeguard and promote the wellbeing of children in North Tyneside.
Richard Burrows, Independent Chair of the LSCB, said: “Strong partnership working is critical to delivering effective children’s services, and it is very positive to see Ofsted recognise the efforts of all of our partners in this inspection.”
ENDS
Image: Members of the Children in Care Council join (L-R) Jacqui Old, Director of Children’s Services, Councillor Ian Grayson, Cabinet member for Children and Young People, and Richard Burrows, Independent Chair of the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board, to celebrate the Ofsted result.
Notes to editors
The full inspection report is available from the Ofsted website at https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/local-authorities/north-tyneside.