Final councils receive single inspection rating from Ofsted

Inspection reports on children's services in Blackburn with Darwen and Richmond-upon-Thames rated both authorities as good overall.

Ofsted saw good work across all areas in Blackburn with Darwen despite finding that services had weakened since 2012 due to a steep rise in demand for children's social care. In Richmond, inspectors reported that senior leaders had "created an environment in which good-quality social work can flourish".

The inspections of the two authorities now means that every one of England's 152 councils has been assessed against the single inspection framework at least once since it launched in late 2013.

Under the inspection framework just three councils have achieved an "outstanding" rating while 30 have been deemed "inadequate". A further 52 were rated as "good" and 68 received a "requires improvement" grade.

In Blackburn with Darwen, inspectors praised the council for its "robust" work to help children at risk of domestic abuse and for its comprehensive approach to tackling radicalisation, which includes creating detailed action plans to manage and reduce risk when a child is identified.

However, Ofsted said the council needs to improve the timeliness and quality of its pre-proceedings work and ensure disabled young people have clear transition plans in place well before their 18th birthday.

Councillor Maureen Bateson, executive director for children's services in Blackburn with Darwen, said: "The judgment really is something special given the unprecedented cuts to the council's budget and the increasing demand for our support. More than anything I'm glad that children who most need our help and protection feel positive about being looked after by the council."

In Richmond-upon-Thames inspectors praised the council for the swift action taken by social workers when children face significant harm and for not resorting to bed and breakfast accommodation, even as a short-term solution, when supporting homeless 16- and 17-year-olds.

However, inspectors said the London borough's social workers are not getting the level of reflective management oversight needed to support good practice and said the council is not "sufficiently proactive" in identifying and supporting children in private fostering arrangements.

Ofsted also noted that while Richmond's decision to have its services delivered via a community interest company in conjunction with two other councils has "added value", some stakeholders feel they are not being meaningfully consulted on the way services are changed.