Ofsted's latest inspection of Darlington found that leadership and governance has "markedly improved" and timescales for completing assessments are now better than in comparator authorities.
Inspectors reported improved workforce stability, in part because the council has capped social worker caseloads and successfully converted agency workers to permanent employees.
Cyndi Hughes, the cabinet member for children and young people in Darlington, said workforce stability has been a key focus for the authority. "We prioritised the recruitment and retention of dedicated staff who will provide timely, quality assessments and support for our most vulnerable children and young people," she said.
The council, which was rated "inadequate" in September 2015, was also found to have addressed concerns about inappropriate use of section 20 agreements with parents - voluntary care arrangements where parents consent to having a child taken into care. Ofsted also found the council is doing good work with disabled children, care leavers, children being placed with adopters, and homeless 16- and 17-year-olds.
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