The local authority was handed the inspectorate’s top rating after its previous inspection in 2018.
Following their visit earlier this year they found that “services for children have remained outstanding” and “children benefit from consistently strong and creative social work delivered to an exceptionally high standard”.
In rating the department "outstanding" for overall effectiveness, support for looked-after children and care leavers as well as for its leadership, inspectors were particularly impressed with the “broad and flexible range of early help and interventions” available for families. This is being achieved through strong partnerships with schools and children’s centres, inspectors found.
Inspectors also note that the standard of support for families has been maintained even during the Covid-19 pandemic, which saw an increase in families living in poverty, worsening health and increased numbers of children in need of support.
“Despite these pressures, Leeds has maintained a relentless focus on prioritising services and support to children and families,” said inspectors, who have rated the council’s work to protect children as "good".
🥳Services provided to children and families by Leeds City Council staff and partners have once again been rated ‘outstanding’ by government inspectors, Ofsted, in a report published today...https://t.co/iQWlExSwbq pic.twitter.com/yE0zacX81b
— Child Friendly Leeds (@Child_Leeds) May 9, 2022
Although the pandemic caused delays for some children’s cases “leaders are aware of this and have taken action to ensure that there are no longer delays for children awaiting child protection conferences”, said Ofsted in its latest inspection report.
Another area of praise relates to the local authority's “restorative approach with families” which is “coherent and palpable throughout services offered to children”. This includes family group conferencing and access to advocacy services, which helps young people be better involved in decisions around their support, inspectors found.
The high frequency of contact between children and social workers is also welcomed by inspectors. This has seen “social workers develop meaningful relationships with children”.
Meanwhile, the London Borough of Merton’s children’s services has also been handed Ofsted’s top rating of "outstanding’" for overall effectiveness, leadership and support to children in care and care leavers.
This is an improvement on its previous inspection, in 2017, when only the department’s leadership and adoption services were rated as highly. The council was rated "good" overall.
Following their visit earlier this year inspectors found “evidence of continuous thoughtful and creative innovative work” to enhance the quality of social work practice.
The council’s work during the pandemic “to keep children safe and to support all staff in their work with children and families”, is among work at the local authority to impress inspectors.
