Windsor and Maidenhead services graded ‘Good’ by Ofsted
Our services in Windsor and Maidenhead have been rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted following an inspection in January 2020.
Inspectors commented on the significant improvements that have been made since the last inspection in 2015. (RBWM Children’s Services joined us in 2017.)
Some of the highlights of Ofsted’s report are:
- Social workers know their children well and talk knowledgeably about their experiences. Skilled and thoughtful direct work is conducted at the right pace for children; social workers use a variety of tools to help them understand children’s experiences and views.
- Early help services in the borough are a real strength. An impressive breadth of targeted interventions and services rapidly address the difficulties, needs and challenging circumstances of children and their families.
- The large majority of children in care live in safe, secure and stables homes that meet their needs.
- Children in care are attending school more regularly and are achieving more than they were before.
- The children in care council, Kickback, is proactive and well run.
- There are strong interventions available where domestic abuse is a concern.
- There has been an increase in the number of care leavers engaged in good employment and education opportunities. They are well supported to attend university and college if they wish.
- Children in the borough have a strong voice.
- Leaders and managers are committed to improving outcomes for children by listening to what they, and their families have to say.
Kevin McDaniel, Director of Children’s Services, said: “I’m delighted that the changes we have made to Children’s Services in the Royal Borough have resulted in such a positive impact for children. The determination, hard work and ambition to improve – from our skilled and thoughtful practitioners right through to our senior leaders and partners – has led to this judgement of good.
“I am looking forward to continuing the rapid development of the services we offer to some of our most vulnerable residents as we work towards our ambition of achieving an outstanding rating in the future.”
A full copy of the Ofsted report can be found here.
25 February 2020
