Ofsted praises supportive children's services environment in Manchester

A focused visit to the local authority found that children's social workers had manageable caseloads ranging from 22 to 24 children, and they felt positive about working for the authority.

However, the report said Manchester needed to go further to receive a "good" judgement above its current "requires improvement" rating achieved a year ago.

Provision had been rated as "inadequate" in September 2014, with inspectors warning that several hundred children had waited "a considerable" time for a social work assessment, citing high caseloads as part of the cause.

But inspectors said there have been significant improvements since then.

"Staff say they feel listened to and supported, and they demonstrate passion and commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable children," the inspection report states.

"Senior managers have been successful in creating an environment which is conducive to continued improvement."

The report noted many other areas where practice had improved, in particular, in children's statutory reviews.

These, it said, were being held regularly, were attended by relevant professionals, children were encouraged to participate and attend, and review minutes were found to be detailed and include children's views.

The report described independent reviewing officers' reports as "excellent".

"Reports are written directly to children," it said.

"The language used and the sensitivity with which circumstances and decisions are explained evidences excellent child-centred practice."