Hampshire wins praise for safeguarding

Ofsted inspectors have praised Hampshire County Council’s safeguarding and looked-after children services.

Following an inspection in June, inspectors awarded the council nine “outstanding” grades out of 22 categories. The council scored the next best rating of “good” in the other areas.

The council’s commitment to improving the service was among areas to receive the top score from inspectors.

Their report states: “Capacity for improvement in safeguarding is outstanding. Prompt and decisive action is taken in respect of issues raised through inspections, internal self-assessment and audits.”

Other areas praised were the council’s focus on partnerships with health organisations and the police as well as its monitoring of performance.   

Executive member for children’s services Councillor Roy Perry said: “I am especially pleased because it comes after what has been a very difficult period in which we have had to make some very hard financial decisions. This inspection strongly vindicates those decisions.

“We will not be complacent and I will be working closely with the officers to ensure we can learn the lessons from this inspection and that our action plans find ways in which we can improve still further.”

Among areas inspectors want to see further improvement is ensuring opportunities for community involvement are promoted among looked-after children.