Somerset failing vulnerable children, young people and families

Ofsted has published its findings from their first multi-remit focused inspection carried out in the Somerset area and found services to be inadequate.

The watchdog found that while education standards are improving, the county council is not providing good enough support for its most vulnerable children, young people and families. As a result too many of the services inspected were judged inadequate.

In total, thirty-nine inspections were carried out across all children’s services remits in Somerset between 8 September and 3 October. The inspections included primary, secondary, special and independent special schools, pupil referral units, children’s homes, children’s centres and nurseries.

In the four children’s homes inspected none were judged good or better. In addition, two children’s centres, running 10 stand-alone sites, and serving over 13,500 children under five years old living in the centres’ catchment area were judged inadequate.

In summary, the outcomes of the 39 inspections were:

•     A third were judged less than good
•     Six settings were judged inadequate
•     A fifth of schools inspected were judged require improvement
•     No maintained schools were judged inadequate

Bradley Simmons, Ofsted’s Regional Director for the South West said: ‘Bringing together this series of inspections for the first time has given a unique insight into the quality of services children in Somerset receive. The council deserves credit for its role in improving the performance for primary and secondary children from both disadvantaged backgrounds and the most able students.

‘However, it is disheartening to see that the most vulnerable children, young people and families who rely on crucial services for care and support are being let down.

‘It cannot be right that children’s centres serving over 13,500 children under five years old living in the centres’ catchment area are receiving a poor service.

‘Urgent action is required if the council is to secure timely and effective arrangements for the safety and wellbeing of children living in the county.”

Ofsted recommended that Somerset County Council needs to improve the consistency and quality of care of its children’s homes through clearer strategic direction and management oversight.