Of the 59 local authority children’s social care services inspected by Ofsted between November 2013, when the SIF was introduced, and 30 June 2015, 23.7 per cent (14) were graded “inadequate” and 52.5 per cent (31) were graded “requires improvement”.
Figures included in children's social care data, published today, show that a further 14 children’s services departments were rated “good” under the inspectorate's four-level grading framework. No authority's services were deemed “outstanding”, the highest rating.
Earlier this year, the Association of Directors of Children’s Services published analysis showing that of the 41 children’s services departments to be assessed using the SIF up to January 2015, 44 per cent had seen their rating fall.
Matthew Coffey, Ofsted’s chief operating officer, said: “We are seeing a children’s services sector in transition, with some, but not yet enough, local authorities demonstrating they are working in a more child-centred way.
“The 14 local authorities judged to be good have shown they are putting the outcomes of children at the heart of their decision-making and practice.
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