Some services for children have shown "remarkable improvement"

Watchdog's praise for "remarkable improvement"

Staffordshire County Council has been commended for its improvement in an annual inspection report by Ofsted.

The Annual Performance Assessment reviews the council's provision of services to children and young people.  It analysed overall progress as well as progress against each of the five outcomes in the Government's Every Child Matters policy:

• Be healthy
• Stay safe
• Enjoy and achieve
• Make a positive contribution
• Achieve economic wellbeing

Particular mention was given to the "remarkable improvement" in children's social care services, which was judged as inadequate in 2005.  This year inspectors found that emphasis on the individual needs of children looked after by the authority had led to great improvement in the provision of safe, suitable placements.  The report noted that adoptions take place promptly and the council takes its responsibilities very seriously in looking after children and young people in its care.  Overall the service was judged to be good.

The authority's efforts to help children and young people be healthy was also mentioned as good, with a strong emphasis on improving healthy lifestyles for children and young people. The Healthy Schools programme was noted for its good work in this area, and Staffordshire rates of teenage pregnancy are lower than those found nationally.

In assessing achievements in schools, inspectors noted the marked improvements in progress at Key Stage 4 and asked the county council to continue to improve exam results, particularly in sixth forms.

The report recognised the contribution made by the recently opened Torc vocational training facility in Tamworth, and the positive GCSE results achieved this summer.

Deputy Leader Councillor Robert Simpson is the Cabinet lead for Children and Young People.  He commented: "I am pleased that the huge amount of work we have put into improving our services has been recognised.  It is particularly good that our children's social care services are judged to have improved so much.

"Inspectors commended our commitment to good working relationships with our partners, and the determination to keep improving.  They also noted that we are a well managed council in this area, and that we need to consolidate the gains we have made whilst continuing to drive further improvement.  I am confident that we will continue to improve and pleased that Ofsted have given us such a positive report."

Page Last Modified: 29/11/2007 13:33:37

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