Government lifts Hull’s improvement notice
Joe Lepper
Thursday, October 12, 2023
The government has informed Hull City Council that its children’s services are no longer subject to an improvement notice.
A letter from children’s minister David Johnston to council leaders has confirmed the Department for Education is lifting the notice, which was issued in August 2022.
He has taken the decision due to improvements that have taken place since then and since it was rated “inadequate” by Ofsted in January 2019.
In January this year Ofsted uplifted its rating to “requires improvement to be good” and praised a stability of leadership under its director of children’s services Pauline Turner, who joined the council in 2020.
Inspectors also praised support for children in care and care leavers, and for involving young people in decision making around their support.
Another area of improvement inspectors noted has been putting in place regular reviews of care plans by independent reviewing officers. Inspectors also found that social work visits were regular and purposeful.
In July this year a DfE appointed advisor, Caroline O’Neil, reviewed the department and found further improvements.
In recommending that the improvement notice be lifted she praised the council’s investment in the children’s social care workforce, commitment to partnership working, focus on performance and quality, and its leadership.
Since its “inadequate” rating the council had been subject to statutory intervention, which ended last year after the government appointed commissioner to the council Paul Moffat noted “positive work” in the department.
However, he warned that further improvements were needed, which saw the council issued with the improvement notice. These are implanted by the government to highlight where improvement is needed, how it will be assessed, and a warning of further action should changes not be implemented.
Johnston has told Hull that its children’s services is in a “much stronger position” due to the “hard work and commitment” of staff.
“Children’s social care services are so important to the most vulnerable children locally and this means that it is essential that they are delivered to a high standard,” he said.
“I look forward to seeing Hull’s continued progress over the coming months and years.”
Hull City Council’s children’s services portfolio holder Linda Tock added: “I’m delighted that the immense progress our children’s services has made has been recognised by the DfE.
“This is a significant step in the service’s ongoing improvement journey and I’m confident it can continue going from strength-to-strength.”
