Medway Conservatives welcome the focused visit monitoring inspection report from Ofsted in relation to Medway Council’s Children’s Services, released today. This report follows the two-day inspection which took place on 29th and 30th April.
The monitoring inspection focused on the local authority’s response in relation to the experiences and progress of children who need help and protection, specifically around those children classed as children in need “CIN” and those with child protection plans. Medway Conservatives welcome the fact that inspectors have noted the improvements that have been made to the homelessness service, and the continued development around services for disabled children and those at risk of exploitation. It also notes the strength of corporate and political leadership, which is welcome.
Medway Conservatives though remain cautious around the continued concerns from Ofsted around the permanence within the service, given the 25% turnover that remains within the service year on year.
Cllr George Perfect, Leader of the Opposition and Medway Conservatives Leader said:
“I welcome the report from Ofsted today, focused on Medway’s children’s services. It is clear that progress is being made, following on from the Good ILACs result of May 2023, building on the incredible improvement made under the previous administration and portfolio holder Josie Iles.
It is clear though that there remains turbulence in the service, particularly around the permanence of staff, which continues to threaten the long-term sustainability of improvements in the administration’s drive to achieve outstanding. Progress around delivering permanence within the service remains to slow and the administration should focus on this, particularly given the significant investments they have made this year within the budget towards the service.
I would like to once again thank the brilliant teams in children’s services, and the Deputy Chief Executive Lee-Anne Farach along with the Acting Assistant Director Kelly Cogger for their ongoing leadership in this area.”
Cllr Mark Joy, Shadow Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Education said:
“My thanks to the brilliant teams across children’s services who deliver the ‘Good’ children’s services for our children and young people every day.
The Ofsted report released today makes clear that there continues to be good progress made within children’s services, but it remains fragile given the continued challenges around permanence within the service.
I remain committed to being a constructive opposition and working on a cross-party basis where appropriate with the Portfolio Holder through the Overview and Scrutiny committee and the Corporate Parenting Board.”
ENDS
