Ofsted has published their latest findings for Herefordshire Children’s Services in a report today.
Ofsted has published their latest findings for Herefordshire Children’s Services in a report today.
The Ofsted letter details the results of Herefordshire’s sixth monitoring visit that took place on 18 and 19 February 2025. The focus of the inspection centred around the quality and timeliness of social work assessments.
The inspection is part of a series of visits put in place following the service being judged inadequate in July 2022.
Headlines from the report noted that ‘Timely completion of assessment and support provided by social workers and family support workers in the assessment and support teams has a positive impact which enables the majority of children and their families to progress in having their needs met’ and ‘Leaders are now making some tangible progress to improve the quality and consistency of practice within the assessment teams.’
Inspectors found that there was a stronger understanding and commitment across the council to children who need the support of children's social care and that this was reflected in its corporate plans, priorities and the commitment to developing ‘Child Friendly Herefordshire.’
Inspectors also found that thresholds are appropriately applied and that informed decisions about the level of intervention and decisions to meet the needs of children are clearly thought through with a clear rationale. For the children they saw being accommodated into care, Ofsted found these decisions were appropriate and made in the best interest of children to protect them from further harm.
The report noted that ‘a range of professionals and agencies are involved and make an important contribution to assessments as well as provide the support which families need’ and highlighted that ‘many social workers developed relationships with parents and children in a skilled way.’
The work of the young carers team was reviewed as part of the inspection within findings that more young carers were receiving support and that ‘assessments were comprehensive and child focused.’
Ofsted noted the drive to ensure the service receive feedback from children and parents and recognised this as more embedded into audit activity, giving a more meaningful insight into the experience and impact of interventions on children and families.
Children’s services staff continued to report that they enjoy working for Herefordshire and were positive about feeling engaged and supported by managers and leaders.
The report identifies a few areas where focused work is needed, and this feedback will be part of the Herefordshire Children’s Services improvement journey.
Councillor Ivan Powell, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said:
“We’re really pleased that the report recognises commitment of the council leaders and the positive developments in practice. As always, we will use this feedback proactively to help guide our children’s services improvement programme.
“We are committed to continuing our improvements and to provide services to children and families they can have confidence in, and that the whole county can be proud of.”
You can view a full copy of the Ofsted report online.