London council moves out of 'inadequate'

Lambeth Council, which had been given Ofsted's lowest judgment in 2015, is now rated as "requires improvement" overall by inspectors.

Following a visit in January and February this year inspectors found that the pace of improvement had become more rapid over the last two years, since a raft of senior appointments were made within the department.

Investment in the department over that time was found to have helped ensure workforce stability, and lower caseloads for social workers, enabling them to visit children frequently.

Inspectors also noted that children's views were taken into account when developing the service.

Partnerships, particularly those to tackle child sexual exploitation and missing from care incidents, were also found to be strong. Meanwhile, the multi-agency front door response to child protection concerns was found to be effective, and backed by good oversight by managers.

Services for disabled children had also improved and inspectors welcomed the department's focus on helping children's wider family.

"Senior leaders and elected members have shown determination to improve services for children and their families," states Ofsted's inspection report.

"They have prioritised services for children, committing significant financial investment. This has resulted in a more stable workforce and lower caseloads, which are improving social work practice and the lives of children.

"Stronger, more stable leadership and committed corporate parenting mean that most vulnerable children are supported well. Children's views influence policy and service development."

"Partnership working is a strength in Lambeth. The authority has worked hard to build partners' confidence in children's services and improve wider safeguarding practice."

Services covering child protection, care leavers and looked-after children as well as leadership and management were all individually rated as "requires improvement" but adoption services remained "inadequate".

"There is not enough focus on achieving early permanence for children and for those with a plan for adoption, practice is inadequate," states Ofsted's inspection report.

"A lack of decisive and timely action has resulted in drift and delay in securing adoptive families for too many children."

Inspectors said they want to see further improvements, particularly in terms of closer working with police to support children "entrenched in criminal behaviour".

"A lack of suitable alternative emergency accommodation means that children inappropriately stay overnight in custody," say inspectors.

Annie Hudson, Lambeth's director of children's services, said: "It is clear from today's report that there is much more work to do to achieve the very highest practice standards that will enable children have the very best life outcomes.

"We will build further on local partnership working strengths to maintain unrelenting focus on continuing improvement on all fronts.

"This includes not compromising on the importance of securing timely permanence through adoption when appropriate."

Just three years prior to its "inadequate" judgment in 2015 Lambeth had been rated as "outstanding" by Ofsted.