Ofsted says children’s safeguarding in Sandwell is improving

A drive to improve the safeguarding of vulnerable children in Sandwell is paying off, according to a Government watchdog.

Ofsted rates the authority’s safeguarding performance and capacity to improve further as “adequate” – and council bosses have pledged to maintain the momentum.

The verdict comes after the council made far-reaching changes to children’s social care following an “inadequate” rating for safeguarding two years ago.

In their latest report, the inspectors said: “Sandwell children’s services have made satisfactory progress across almost all areas of their improvement plan since the Government issued an improvement notice following Ofsted’s safeguarding and looked after children inspection of November 2009, and the trajectory of progress is largely positive.”

Cabinet member for children and families Councillor Bob Badham said he was encouraged by the report but recognised there was more to do.

He said: “The whole culture of children’s social care in Sandwell has changed. The child is at the centre of everything we do.

“I am pleased Ofsted is confident we can continue along this road. Our ambition is to become an excellent service within an excellent authority.

“We have put firm foundations in place  – despite challenges such as a big rise in child referrals, which has been part of a national trend.

“We have made a good a start but we will not be complacent as we seek to further raise performance.”

In Sandwell, 335 children and young people have child protection plans,  a further 1,370 are children in need and 559 children and young people are in the care of the council care.

The service has been led by the management team of corporate director, People, Barbara Peacock and service director Helen Smith since May 2010.