Windsor and Maidenhead inspection
Following an inspection in October, Ofsted's report concludes that the provision of children's services has improved and maintained progress in every area since the last inspection in 2020, with good support being provided to children and young people from the right people, when they need it.
The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead commissions Achieving for Children (AfC) to deliver its children’s services and Ofsted inspectors said that arrangements between the council and AfC continue to be effective.
Thorough plans are provided for children and young people that are easy to understand, provide clarity about what needs to change for a child to be safe and improve their outcomes. These plans are owned by the family and also by the professional network.
There is also a strong focus on ensuring that children in care ‘live in safe, secure and caring homes’ and ‘services for care leavers, in particular, have been transformed with care leavers now receiving excellent support’ with the best possible help to progress into adulthood. Care leavers aged 18 to 25 actively shape their support from the local authority, and receive expert guidance from 'tenacious' and 'ambitious' personal advisors, helping them thrive in work, family, and independence.
Whilst inspectors identified the need for more homes for children in care and improved oversight and consistency in the service that is provided to support children with disabilities, they noted that improvements were already underway in these areas.
Executive Director of Children's Services and Education at the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Lin Ferguson, highlighted: "It takes all of us working together in collaboration to enable our children, young people and their families to have the best possible start in life.
"The inspection report is a very strong read and I couldn't be more proud of our staff team, particularly in light of the current financial and other challenges. We are already putting an action plan together that will focus on how we can be even better, and this will include progress on the recommendations from the inspection."
Cabinet Member for Children's Services and Education, Councillor Amy Tisi said: “These inspection outcomes are a fantastic reflection of the hard work that is being carried out every day by the Royal Borough and Achieving for Children to give children in our borough the best possible start to life and opportunities into adulthood."
The full inspection report can be read on the Ofsted website.
