WORCESTERSHIRE’s District Council will have its statutory instruction from the Ministry of Education removed.
In a letter, Will Quince MP, Parliamentary Undersecretary for Children and Families said: “Elected members, senior leaders, partners and staff at all levels in Worcestershire have shown their commitment to making the improvements” and stated that direction will be reversed if a result of the “significant improvement since the Ofsted inspection in 2016, as evidenced by the 2019 inspection and recent targeted visits and the comprehensive quarterly reports provided”.
Ofsted’s 2019 report highlighted examples of strong practices across the ministry, including a strengthened doorstep MASH and improved child protection and child protection practices.
In Ofsted’s most recent dedicated inspection, inspectors reported the headline results: “The local authority has made great strides since the June 2019 inspection in improving the quality of practice for children and families receiving services at their ‘family front door’.”
Tina Russell, who holds the joint position of General Manager of Worcestershire Children First and WCC Director of Childrens Services, said: “We are pleased with the decision to repeal the legal directive.
“As Minister Quinces’ letter acknowledges, there are significant challenges in providing high quality and effective social care services to children, especially during the recent response to COVID-19, and I am consistently impressed, proud and grateful to all of our staff who have worked tirelessly have worked to ensure that children and families at risk now have access to improved quality of service. “
Councilor Andy Roberts, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Children and Families, said: “This is a brilliantly important milestone for the Worcestershire County Council.
“It is great to see the significant progress Worcestershire Children First has made in protecting and providing services to vulnerable children in the county has been recognized by the Department of Education.”