CHILDREN’S services in South Gloucestershire have been deemed inadequate, an Ofsted inspection has announced.

The report released today, which followed a four-week inspection of services for children in need of help and protection, children looked after and care leavers last November and December.

While adoption services were rated as good, the overall services in South Gloucestershire were rated inadequate.

Experiences and progress of care leavers and children looked after and achieving permanence were both graded as requiring improvement, while children who need help and protection, leadership, management and governance were labelled as inadequate.

A number of strengths were also noted by inspectors, including social workers knowing children well, hearing their views and providing appropriate support to those in need, with swift responses to refer them to the right service. 

Peter Murphy, director of children, adults and health at the council said: “Naturally we are deeply disappointed with the outcome but we are determined to improve services for children and young people.

“What I can assure you of is that we are already taking steps to bring about rapid improvement, which is acknowledged by Ofsted in the report.”

Cllr Jon Hunt, chairman of children, adults and health committee, added: “I share the disappointment in the outcome and I feel it is only right to apologise to those children and their families who have not received help and support quickly enough.

“The needs of children, especially vulnerable children and their families must always come first.

“I am very clear that our aspiration is to see services for children and young people move to a good rating at the earliest opportunity.”

An urgent review has been carried out all cases currently or recently allocated to managers within the 0 to 25 service, which supports children and young people in this age bracket with special educational needs and/or a disability, and their families, after being highlighted by Ofsted.

The inspectors also said that a more consistent approach to identifying, assessing and reducing the risk of child sexual exploitation is needed, to which the council have responded to say work has already begun to improve on these practices.

Mr Murphy said: “We are reviewing how we identify children who may be at risk of sexual exploitation and strengthening the child protection arrangements we have in place within the council and together with partner organisations.

“And we are also looking at how care plans for looked after children should adapt to better meet a child’s changing needs or circumstances. 

“We are also reviewing social work practice across the service and reviewing the training needs of support staff, social workers and managers to ensure they are fully equipped with the right skills to help children to the best of their ability.”