From 'worst performing' to good: Ofsted praises Reform-led West Northamptonshire Council's progress on children's services
Children’s services in West Northamptonshire have been rated as good with outstanding leadership, four years after being told it requires improvement.
The findings published on Tuesday (July 7) mark another step in the lengthy improvement journey taken on by West Northants Council (WNC) and Northamptonshire Children’s Trust (NCT), following a damning report in 2019 declaring the service inadequate.
Even before that, a government order was made to take services out of the local council’s hands, with commissioners overseeing the recovery of the service calling it “one of the worst-performing yet most expensive in the country”. The NCT later took control of children’s social care and targeted early help for the whole of Northamptonshire in 2020, on government orders, and has been in place ever since.
Ofsted inspectors said the services had “significantly improved” since the last inspection in 2022, adding that most children in care “are living in appropriate homes where they are thriving” and “exemplary leadership has created a highly positive workplace culture and has set the standards for workers and managers, always with children at the heart of what they do”.
A two-week inspection took place in May this year, providing a grading of good in the experiences and progress of children who need help and protection, the experiences and progress of children in care, and the experiences and progress of care leavers.
The final area assessing the impact of leaders on social work practice with children and families was rated as WNC’s first-ever outstanding.
Council leader Mark Arnull said: “It shows the pathway forward and that actually with the right people in place and the right will and determination, you can achieve great things.
“I think for a leader with an administration that’s been in office just over a year, it’s a really significant report that reflects will and determination, recognising work to be done, and picking up the mantle that was left before us.
“There’s still more to do here and hopefully that leads to continued recognition for our strong work.”
Inspectors praised social workers for their skill at building trusting relationships with children and their families, and an ongoing reduction in the use of unregistered children’s homes which was highlighted as an area that needs to improve at the last inspection.
The report also described the importance of the care leavers hubs for care-experienced young adults, with care leavers describing it as “being like one big family”.
Inspectors highlighted some areas where services could be improved further, such as the quality of support plans for children in need and clearer communication about support available to care leavers over the age of 21. WNC and NCT leaders have said work is already underway to focus on these areas.
Melanie Barnett, WNC’s director of children’s services (DCS), added: “Children’s services is a challenging landscape currently and historically for West Northants, so I think how we all work together, how we come together as partners, and how we bring the workforce along with us is going to be a critical time.
“Most important for me is the impact that it’s had on children and families and that’s come through really clear in the report, which is something we should absolutely celebrate. My proudest moment was seeing the fantastic work done by workers and the positive impact they have on children and how they change lives.
“I’m really excited about the future here because there are so many things that are happening and I think this does give us a really good platform now to move forward.”
On outstanding leadership, the DCS and the chief executive of NCT were called “inspirational and determined leaders”, and the leader of the council and lead member were said to be “highly engaged” in the service’s improvement plans.
Workforce capacity has significantly improved since the last inspection, with “substantial and positive changes in culture” enabling staff retention and attracting people to work for NCT.
Colin Foster, chief executive of Northamptonshire Children’s Trust, added: “When I started nearly six years ago, what I found was lots of people working incredibly hard to help families as best they could, but there was an abject failure of leadership. What Ofsted has recognised is how the stability of the Northamptonshire Children’s Trust works alongside West Northamptonshire Council to deliver the best outcomes for children.
“We’ve seen a progression in standards since the last inspection in 2022 – those have improved through the sheer hard work of a stable and committed workforce. It’s fair to say not many people wanted to come and work in Northamptonshire back in 2020… people do want to work here now.
“It’s easier to lead a system with a group of people who really do want to be here and are committed. Our social workers know their children well and speak warmly about them, demonstrating the strength of relationships they build and the continuity of support they provide.
“On a personal note, this has been the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Getting through that with this incredible workforce and incredible colleagues is just the best feeling in the world.”