By Ofsted rates council’s Child Services ‘inadequate’ after turbulent two years
A report has been published by Ofsted has labelled North East Lincolnshire Council’s Children’s services as ‘inadequate’ following a turbulent two years.
There are currently 582 children in North East Lincolnshire who are looked after by the council, roughly 169 children per 10,000 in the borough. This number has doubled in the last five years compared to a national 10% increase.
The national average of children in council care is 67 per 10,000.
Ofsted completed two focus inspections in March and October 2019, identifying significant weaknesses in practice.
Now, Ofsted has shared their finding from their most recent investigation carried out in October 2021.
Widespread weaknesses were found in assessment, planning and management decision-making, leaving many children at risk of harm.
The report states that: “There is weak oversight of work, and risk assessment and management systems that should provide robust oversight of practice are ineffective.
“There are serious and widespread failures across the help and protection service. While improvements have been achieved in some discrete areas since the focused visits in 2019, too many children’s needs are left unaddressed. The quality of professional practice and management oversight is weak, and the service is insufficiently resourced. This is resulting in failure to protect children from harm and poor planning in respect of their needs and future care.
“Some children’s cases are closed or stepped down without risk and need being fully understood or addressed, leaving children at risk.”
According to council figures, 25% of children in North East Lincolnshire live in low-income families and 30.1% of pupils have been eligible for free school meals in the last six years.
A national shortage of social workers has also increased challenges for the council as fewer workers are working with more children.
The national average caseload for an individual social worker is 16.3, North East Lincolnshire’s is now 23 after reaching a high of 50 in 2019.
In the past two years, Children’s Services has dealt with a 57 per cent increase of children being referred to children’s social care services when compared to 2019 and 2018.
Following Ofsted’s report Services’ Director, Lisa Arthey, has announced her departure after almost two years – eight months of those as Director.
Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services, Cllr Ian Lindley said: “We are determined to meet these challenges. We will not shy away from this, instead, we will rise to it.
Cllr Lindley added: “There is no doubt the pandemic did derail our plans significantly and improvements were and are being made. Now, with the support and help, we will receive from the Commissioner, our partners and our dedicated and committed workforce, we will continue to grow and build this service back in a way that protects and indeed enhances the lives of our children. They are our future, and we have a responsibility to them.”
Leader of the Council, Cllr Philip Jackson said: “We recognise and accept Ofsted’s findings. But let me emphasise today that North East Lincolnshire Council is absolutely committed to continuing its journey of improvement and in doing so we will work with all concerned to keep our children safe.”
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