Council receives 'outstanding' Ofsted rating after reinvesting in children's services

Telford & Wrekin Council said that in the wake of a "requires improvement" rating following its last full inspection in 2016, it devised a focused plan to address the issues raised, which included reinvesting money raised through commercial enterprises in children’s services.

This included some of the profits from Nuplace, a lettings company owned by Telford & Wrekin Council which develops homes for private rent across the borough, and income from a solar farm made up of more than 15,000 panels on an 11.7-hectare site, which generates enough electricity to power more than 800 homes.

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Nuplace makes the council around £600,000 a year, while the Solar farm makes in excess of £200,000 a year. In total, commercial activities generate the council around £25m a year.

Ofsted's report on children's services provision in the borough states that children now benefit from high-quality social work and an impressive range of specialist services that improve their wellbeing and help to protect them from harm.

"Social workers and other staff who support children are very committed, and they are exceptionally well trained," the report adds.

"Children are valued and receive child-focused services tailored to their individual needs. Children are listened to and their experiences are well understood and inform planning to improve their lives."

Inspectors found that senior leaders have implemented a clear and ambitious vision for vulnerable children and families, adding that despite the success, they continue to work to continually improve services.

"They aspire to a service for every child that they would welcome for their own," the report states.

"Workforce development, recruitment and retention are particularly strong. Staff at all levels are valued and very well supported. This has developed a positive culture where social workers can practise safely and effectively and where they are making a positive impact on the lives of children and their families."

Shaun Davies, leader of Telford & Wrekin Council, said: “I am absolutely delighted that our teams have secured an outstanding judgment from Ofsted.

“This really is a remarkable result for our teams, our social workers, the community and children and young people of Telford and Wrekin.”

“Being judged outstanding puts us in the top performing councils in the UK and supports our approach and I am very proud of all the staff who have worked so hard to achieve this,” added Davies.

“We have been ruthless in making sure we are improving our services but we are not going to rest on our laurels here.

“We are ambitious and aspirational for the future and we want to further build on our outstanding and nationally recognised practice.”

The council said that the only other local authority that has made the jump from requires improvement straight to outstanding is Bexley, in south east London.

Lorna Fitzjohn, Ofsted’s regional director for the West Midlands, said: “Children are valued and receive child-focused services tailored to their individual needs. Children are listened to and their experiences are well understood and inform planning to improve their lives.

“Corporate parenting is exceptionally strong. Children are cared for and they are cared about.”