Support for vulnerable children in Hull improving, Ofsted report

PROGRESS: Hull City Council’s Guildhall

Children’s services in Hull are improving after previously being judged “inadequate”, Ofsted has ruled.

Hull City Council was heavily criticised in a damning report published in May 2019, which stated over-worked staff were struggling to keep vulnerable children safe.

Following a recent monitoring visit – the fourth since the inadequate rating – Ofsted has reported continued improvements, however.

Inspectors highlighted specific improvements in the planning of permanent placements for children in care and noted that children in long-term foster care are generally settled and making good progress. Social workers are said to know their children well and are able to respond to their needs.

Some staff caseloads are still too high, according to the latest report, but an ongoing recruitment campaign aims to address this issue.

Councillor Shane McMurray, Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services at the council, said: “As the Cabinet member for our children, young people and families services, it is my number one priority to make sure our most at risk, vulnerable and neglected children have a swift path to a safer life, free from harm and abuse, and with better outcomes.

‘DELIGHTED’: Councillor Shane McMurray

“To those ends I am delighted with the recent Ofsted monitoring report, which shows we are making good progress and improvement.

“Ofsted has recognised that our excellent social work staff and our strong political and corporate backing means more children in Hull are getting the right intervention at the right time and are settled into their new lives. They also noted significant improvement in systems and early planning.

“We still have further progress to make, for example in terms of reducing worker caseloads and visiting children more regularly. However, with continued development and the improved focus of elected members, I am confident that we are well on the way to becoming a ‘good’ authority, with our goal of ‘outstanding’ on the horizon.

“I also wish to pay tribute and thanks to all staff who have shown dedication and commitment to our children in Hull, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, when staff have and continue to go that extra mile.”

The Ofsted report states: “Risks to children are carefully considered and decisions about children returning home or care orders being discharged are made at the right time for children.

‘PLEASED’: Pauline Turner

“When children are placed in long-term foster care, careful consideration is given to ensure they are well matched and supported.

“Social workers know their children well. They see them regularly and the time they spend with them has a purpose.

“Social workers feel that their caseloads are usually manageable, although some social workers do have high caseloads. Reducing social worker caseloads through a reduction in social worker vacancy rates is a continuing priority for the authority and detailed recruitment and retention plans are in place.”

Pauline Turner, Director of Children’s Services at the city council, said: “I am pleased that Ofsted has again observed improvements in children’s services in Hull.

“This is a real testament to the continued committed and hard work of staff. In particular, inspectors felt that we know our children well, that we visit children regularly. We hear, listen and act on their wishes and feelings, which informs the plans and the decisions we make for them.

“We continue on our improvement journey, but this monitoring visit outcome is clear that we are making real, measurable progress in our work to help, protect and support children in Hull.”