Labour-led Islington Council’s services for vulnerable children and families have received a ‘Good’ Ofsted rating, and praise for ‘Outstanding’ leadership and governance.

That is the verdict of Ofsted, who last week (14 July) published the report of their joint inspection of the Council’s Children’s Services. To date, Islington is one of 42 out of 142 local authorities inspected by Ofsted to be awarded an overall ‘Good’ rating. Only nine are currently rated ‘Outstanding’ for leadership and governance. 

Inspectors found that high quality and effective early help services focus on improving children’s circumstances before they reach the threshold for statutory social care services, while action is taken quickly to protect those children at risk of serious harm. Social workers spend time getting to know children and families, listening to children and understanding what is important to them.

Cllr Joe Caluori, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Families, said: “Despite seven years of Government cuts, this administration has always prioritised protecting funding for children’s services. As a consequence, our children’s early help and social care services have gone from strength to strength and this report shows the strong culture of excellence we have built up in Islington.

 “It is our mission to ensure that all children and young people are safe, protected and able to have the best start in life, whilst families who have problems are supported to grow stronger so they can overcome their difficulties and thrive.”

Islington Council is committed to helping children and young people reach their potential and keeping vulnerable people safe. In 2016, it pledged £2m to be spent over four years for youth safety, focussing on stronger early intervention to stop serious youth crime. The Council is also protecting spending on universal youth services, targeted youth services, mentoring, the youth offending service and gangs work.

The full report can be read here.

Pictured – Cllr Joe Caluori, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Families