Havering’s Children’s Services praised for ‘good progress’ by Ofsted

Havering’s Children’s Services have been told they are making good progress after Ofsted inspectors visited the department last month.

The visit on 16 and 17 September was the third monitoring inspection since the service was rated Inadequate by Ofsted in December 2023.

Councillor Oscar Ford, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said he was pleased with the feedback.

“I’m proud to share that we have been told good progress has been made since Ofsted last visited in March. Inspectors noted real improvements, with children and families benefiting from stronger social work support.”

Inspectors highlighted that cross-party political backing and increased funding have allowed social workers to manage smaller caseloads, meaning they can spend more time with children and families.

They also found that regular visits are helping to build stronger relationships, and better supervision of frontline staff means children’s needs are now being planned more effectively.

Staff are becoming more confident in their roles and are tailoring their support to reflect Havering’s diverse communities.

Inspectors praised the council’s work with partner agencies – including schools, health services, and police – and said that information sharing has improved, helping to reduce risks to children.

They noted that Havering’s response to domestic abuse through local MARAC meetings is stronger, with good attendance from partners ensuring risks are understood and addressed.

Inspectors also said the council’s interventions are becoming more culturally sensitive and accessible to local families.

Councillor Ford added that the Children’s Social Care Improvement Plan, agreed by full council, has been key to these developments.

“Inspectors fed back positively that the delivery of our plan is now visible within our services,” he said. “They saw better use of tools like the NSPCC’s graded care profiles to identify and address neglect, and noted our response to children missing or at risk of exploitation has improved.”

Support for children with complex medical needs and disabilities has also improved, with social workers responding quickly when children’s circumstances change.

However, Ofsted said there are still areas that need further work.

“We are committed to building on our progress,” Councillor Ford said. “Ofsted confirmed that our leadership is focused on the right priorities, and we are investing in staff training and support so they can deliver their best work.”

He thanked all staff and partners for their ongoing efforts.

“Together, we are creating a learning culture where services put children and young people first to improve their outcomes,” he said.

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