Children’s services in Reading have officially been brought back under the control of the council.
Reading Borough Council has regained control of children's services, which include safeguarding, foster care, and support for children. This shift comes after the services were managed by Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) since December 2018, following a damning 'Inadequate' rating from Ofsted.
After a decision in January, around 600 staff members transitioned back to council employment on October 1. The BFfC name will still be used publicly.
Council leader Liz Terry expressed her happiness at welcoming the staff back, praising their hard work and dedication. She noted that this move allows for better control and integration of children's services with other council responsibilities.
BFfC managed to improve its Ofsted rating from 'Inadequate' to 'Requires Improvement' after inspections last year. Terry reaffirmed the council's commitment to enhancing services for children in Reading.
The decision to bring BFfC in-house was based on an independent report from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), and the current contract will end in April next year.
Opposition leader Cllr Rob White highlighted that BFfC had not achieved a 'Good' rating and reiterated the belief that children's services should be managed directly by the council.
James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter
