Leicester’s children’s services received a failing Ofsted report, highlighting serious shortcomings in support and care for vulnerable children.
Leicester: Ofsted’s recent report shows that children’s services in Leicester need improvement. The inspection revealed many issues in how the council cares for kids. It highlighted that children aren’t always getting the support they need.
Inspectors found that some children were not receiving timely help. They noted that the council’s goals for these kids sometimes lacked ambition. Concerns were raised about vulnerable groups and how they were being cared for.
Despite the issues, Ofsted acknowledged some strengths. Social workers were praised for knowing their children well and showing sensitivity. However, council leaders disagreed with the report, claiming it didn’t reflect their service accurately.
The inspection looked at various areas, including the experiences of children needing help and those in care. All areas were rated as needing improvement, which is a low score from Ofsted.
Leicester has a young and diverse population, which brings both energy and challenges. The report noted that the service has declined since the last inspection in 2021. Inspectors pointed out a lack of curiosity in responding to children’s needs.
In cases of domestic abuse, the council often placed too much responsibility on parents. Some children were taken off protection plans too soon, and responses to neglect were inconsistent.
For children in care placed far from Leicester, health assessments were sometimes outdated. This raised concerns about whether their needs were being met properly.
The quality of care plans varied, with some lacking detail about children’s wishes and needs. Targets in education plans were often unclear and not ambitious enough.
While most children lived in suitable homes, a few were placed in unregistered homes, which posed risks. However, the council worked to move them to better placements quickly.
Care leavers in custody received mixed support. Some hadn’t seen their council worker for a long time, and plans for their needs were often unclear.
The report criticized council leadership for not providing enough oversight. However, it also praised the fostering team for their strong support of carers and children.
Deputy city mayor Sarah Russell expressed pride in the staff’s support and stability. She noted that many actions from the report were already being addressed.
Laurence Jones, the strategic director, shared disappointment in the report’s accuracy. He emphasized their commitment to improving services for every child and family in Leicester.
