Ofsted has given West Berkshire Council children’s services a ‘Good’ rating – marking a decade of effort to pull the ship around.
Ofsted has rated West Berkshire Council’s children’s services as ‘Good’, a significant turnaround after years of effort.
In 2015, the council faced criticism when inspectors declared its services ‘inadequate’, citing severe risks to vulnerable children.
A recent 2022 inspection praised how unaccompanied asylum-seeking children receive compassion, support, and necessary resources like interpreters and legal advice.
This July, Squirrel Lodge, a local children's home, earned an outstanding rating from Ofsted.
In the latest September inspection, four core areas, including leadership and support for children in care, were rated as ‘Good’.
Heather Codling, executive member for children’s services, expressed delight at the recognition, crediting the dedication of the staff: “Achieving a ‘Good’ rating shows our commitment to prioritising children and families.”
She noted that since taking over in 2023, the administration has focused on revitalising services and improving child welfare.
Despite the positive rating, some challenges remain, such as insufficient resources for early support, impacting timely assistance for families in need.
The council acknowledged interventions for some children facing chronic neglect and plans to enhance staffing with more participation officers.
There’s also an outdated case recording system that’s due for an upgrade by spring 2026.
Codling stated, “We celebrate this achievement but maintain our focus on improving early support for every child.”
She highlighted that appointing a dedicated director of children’s services and fostering stable leadership has made a positive impact.
Inspectors found significant improvement in workforce stability, with staff expressing job satisfaction and the development of a skilled team through dedicated training.
Children in need receive timely, effective responses, with improved permanence planning ensuring quicker placements into stable homes.
Collaboration with health services, police, and schools strengthens joint decision-making and safeguarding, supporting the well-being of every child.
Executive director Annmarie Dodds affirmed the commitment of the team: “We are proud of our progress and strive to address areas needing improvement, ensuring every child in West Berkshire thrives.”
Niki Hinman, Local Democracy Reporter
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