Inspectors praise children’s services

OLDHAM Council’s children’s services team has expressed delight after inspectors ranked it as performing well.

The borough scored three on the four-point scale used by Ofsted in its annual performance ratings of local authorities.

Key findings included that the overall effectiveness of a large majority of inspected and regulated services is good or better and a higher than average proportion of primary and nursery schools are good or outstanding.

Performance of the authority’s fostering and adoption agencies is outstanding, children’s homes are good and safeguarding and the provision for children in care is good.

The report adds: “A very large majority of the national indicators, including those for enjoying and achieving and staying safe, show performance which is as good as or better than similar areas and national averages. Performance is particularly good in terms of the staying safe indicators.”

The findings are based on a new performance profile of the quality of services and outcomes for children and young people in each local area.

Councillor Kay Knox, cabinet member for children, young people and families, said: “We welcome this report which highlights that we are generally performing well in the provision of children’s services. This is also an improvement on last year’s ratings.

“This score indicates that we are exceeding the minimum requirements and there are a number of very pleasing aspects within the findings.

“We are particularly happy with what Ofsted has said about our primary and nursery schools, our fostering, adoption services and children’s homes.

“It is also important to note that they believe our services are safe — and that our performance in terms of staying safe is particularly good.

“We are not complacent, however, and will take on board Ofsted’s comments about the areas that need improvement.”

Michael Jameson, Oldham Council’s director of children’s services, added: “The children’s services team are generally happy with this report.

“It reflects the good progress that is being made, but the council and its partners are also very clear about where we need to improve.

“I would like to thank all staff for their hard work in contributing to the improvements that we continue to make in our provision.”