Sefton Council statement on latest Ofsted monitoring visit

Responding to the letter from Ofsted, Dr Risthardh Hare, Director of Children’s Services, said:

“These monitoring visits are a regular part of our improvement journey and they support us to identify areas where we need to make more and faster progress and mark signs of improvement.

“We were really pleased to see Ofsted recognise the clear signs of improvement in some areas of our work particularly the work done to strengthen our Corporate Parenting Board and what we have done in developing our academy, the recruitment and retention of social workers.

“We acknowledge that we still have much more work to do with our partners as we continue to make improvements but we are encouraged that the changes we have made are beginning to make a meaningful difference to children and young people in Sefton and improve the oversight of children in care.”

On their most recent monitoring visit, inspectors recognised improvements in the Corporate Parenting Board, the workforce and relationships with families. They also commended the way the Council listens and values the voice of children and young people which were all key elements of the Council’s Improvement Plan.

Phil Porter, Chief Executive, Sefton Council said:

“Providing better services for children, young people and their families is our top priority. Our elected members, workforce and our partners are all playing a role in driving the improvements needed.

“As Risthardh has said, we know there is still a lot to do but we are confident that with our committed workforce, the significant financial investment into Children’s Services and the continued support of partners; improvements can be delivered at pace.

Phil, who joined the Council in July, added:

“Ofsted commented that most children now live in secure homes; which is down largely to our wonderful foster carers. If ever there was a time to consider fostering a child, it is now to help us provide more safe and loving homes for children.” 

The Council has a rolling programme to recruit foster carers and encourage applications of interest throughout the year from anyone that can offer a safe, loving space for children and young people to grow up in.

The Fostering Team can be contacted on ww.seftonfostering.co.uk or call the freephone number 0800 923 2777 to learn more about what fostering involves and to register an interest.

Cllr Mhairi Doyle, Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care added:

“I am pleased that Ofsted have recognised the work that we have done in refreshing and strengthening our Corporate Parenting Board and our determination to listen to and value all children in Sefton.

“I am proud of the commitment the Council, partners, my colleagues and our wider workforce have demonstrated in making the necessary improvements and I want to thank our workforce for the way they have implemented and embedded these changes in the way they work with our families. Most of all, I am proud of our children and young people in Sefton who we are here to support in all they want to achieve.

“Ultimately, we have a responsibility to our cared for children, in just the same way as any parent, to support them in whatever way we can. I want cared for children in Sefton to grow up knowing that we care about them and believe in them and for Sefton to be a place where their voices are listened to and acted on.”