Ofsted: Three-quarters of children's services departments 'not good enough'

The inspectorate’s second Annual Social Care Report found that of the 43 children’s services inspections carried out in 2013/14, only 10 councils were rated as providing a "good" standard of care and protection.

Of the remaining 33 authorities inspected, seven were rated as "inadequate" and 26 "required improvement". None were rated "outstanding".

Local authorities' struggles have coincided with the introduction of Ofsted's tougher single inspection framework in November 2013. In January, CYP Now revealed that nearly half of councils inspected under the new framework had seen a fall in their rating.

The inspectorate says many councils are struggling to cope with rising demand for services and increasing financial pressures. Ofsted noted that during 2013/14 the number of looked-after children rose to its highest level since 1987 and there was a 12 per cent increase in the number of child protection plans.

Ofsted also found a number of common issues affecting the poorest performers, in particular a lack of investment in early intervention services.

Another area of concern was poor-quality work by local safeguarding children boards (LSCBs). Three out of four LSCBs inspected so far have been found to be “less than good” with eight rated as inadequate in supporting joint local safeguarding efforts.

The inspectorate is calling on government to ensure LSCBs' role is strengthened with more power to oversee and take action on safeguarding matters locally.

Among other concerns raised by Ofsted is a lack of continuity at a senior level, with a third of councils changing their director of children’s services (DCS) at least once over the course of 2013/14.

Issues affecting children’s services leadership is the subject of a separate report released today, which aims to offer advice for DCSs on improving services.

Debbie Jones, Ofsted’s national director for social care, said: “Inspectors have seen examples of high-quality practice, which puts the outcomes for children at the heart of decision making.