Blackburn with Darwen children’s services rated as good in latest inspection

Government inspectors who three years ago downgraded Blackburn with Darwen Council’s children’s services department to ‘requires improvement’ have restored it to a ‘good’ rating.

An Ofsted review of its provision for vulnerable young people in January 2022 found it ‘required improvement’ across all four major headings, a major drop from a similar 2017 inspection which found its performance to be good overall.

A new report published today from the inspection body has graded the service as ‘good’ overall with just the experiences and progress of care leavers remaining ‘requires improvement to be good’.

The turnaround follows a £1million drive to improve standards after the 2022 report which Blackburn with Darwen Council’s children’s services boss Cllr Julie Gunn described as ‘hugely disappointing’.

Today’s Ofsted report says: “Since the last inspection, in 2022, when Blackburn with Darwen children’s services were judged as requires improvement to be good in all areas, services to children and care leavers have significantly improved.

“A new senior leadership team has injected energy and pace to facilitate improvements and ensure that children and care leavers benefit from effective social work.

“Leaders know their service well.

“They understand their strengths and most areas for development.

“Political and corporate commitment has translated into significant investment and innovation that have strengthened services and increased workforce capacity.

“Strong agency partnerships are enabling children, care leavers and their families to be well supported and make progress.

“There is a relentless focus on children and care leavers’ lived experiences.

“Senior leaders are highly credible, openly accountable and trusted by staff.

“They have created a supportive workforce culture where staff are actively encouraged to do better for children, care leavers and families.

“Frontline managers provide effective supervision and guidance to staff, but this is not always reflected in children and care leavers’ records.”

The rating of good applies to the service’s overall effectiveness, the impact of leaders on social work practice with children and families, the experiences and progress of children who need help and protection, and the experiences and progress of children in care.

But on the experiences and progress of care leavers the inspection finds four areas where improvement is still needed:

◼ the support to care leavers who are closed to the service and those who are not in education, employment or training;

◼ the assessment and support of older children in care who are placed with their parents;

◼ the response to children aged 16 and 17 years who present as homeless; and

◼ the quality and impact of recorded supervision and management oversight of decisions.

The inspection highlights that children in care receive good quality care and the response to children when there are risks linked to exploitation is robust.

The innovative network of Family Hubs and Children’s Centres are praised for their early help.

Cllr Julie Gunn said: “We have a can-do spirit and so much pride here. It is hugely gratifying that this latest inspection recognises the real determination, time and energy that I see day in, day out to make sure our children and families get the best possible support and help.”

Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Strategic Director of Children’s Services Jo Siddle said: “What drives us is continually wanting to do better for our children and young people and to keep them safe.

“We went into the inspection proud of the work we do and aware of areas where there is still work to be done.”

Borough chief executive Denise Park said: “What’s made the difference is having such a dedicated and compassionate workforce in children’s services and the collaboration from the wider council and partner agencies who want what is best for children and young people in the borough.”