Ofsted commends council response to 'alarming' knife crime increase

The inspectorate, which visited Tower Hamlets at the start of May, said the local authority has experienced 13 knife-related incidents linked to drug-related gang activity, and involving young and vulnerable boys and girls, in the space of just six weeks, describing the increase as 'alarming'.

However, it said the council is doing some good work to deal with the issue and protect children, while actively seeking to do more to help and support schools.

Ofsted said young people involved with knife incidents in Tower Hamlets are often sexually and criminally exploited children, those missing from home and care, and young people associated with gangs.

"They are mainly children with very complex needs who are known to a number of agencies, sometimes for many years, due to adversity suffered in childhood," a letter outlining the findings of Tower Hamlets' third monitoring visit since children's services were judged "inadequate" in April 2017 states.

"Previously, the local authority's relationships with key safeguarding partners were underdeveloped, with too many staff working in isolation.

"Senior leaders across all agencies have recognised that the complexity of issues in relation to exploited children means that a joint multi-agency approach is required.

"Consequently, the revised early help strategy is intended to address former weak practice for this group of children. This is now an important priority for the local authority and the safeguarding children board.

"Working relationships with stakeholders are developing to help and protect these vulnerable children. This is beginning to have a positive impact, leading to more effective and innovative practice. Children's services are actively seeking to do more to help and support schools."

Inspectors said that since the previous inspection and a monitoring visit in December 2017, there has been a "substantial improvement" in the quality of practice with exploited children and their families.

It said the recent co-location of key staff and the creation of a dedicated, authoritative, multi-agency exploitation team is very effective in responding quickly to high-risk situations.

"A renewed focus on children as victims of exploitation rather than the criminalising of their behaviour is leading to an enhanced understanding of their circumstances and analysis of risk.

"Social workers now have a better understanding of children's lived experience. Together with partner agencies, they are increasingly diligent in their attempts to work with and support these young people and their brothers and sisters."

John Biggs, Mayor of Tower Hamlets said: "The council is improving its children's services at a rapid rate. The fact that we have had three positive visits since our Improvement Plan was agreed with the Department for Education last year shows we are on the right track.

"But I don't take that for granted and we remain unremittingly focused on keeping that way."

"This visit focused on particularly challenging areas around vulnerable young people. Our service has to be in good shape to identify these issues before they become problems for our young people and wider society.

"Our social workers and all staff working on the improvements are doing great work to tackle historic problems with the service, and deliver modern ways of delivering services with our partners.

"There is still much work to do to make a lasting change in Tower Hamlets but this is good news, and I am proud of our staff, and those who have supported us."

More than 50 people have died as a result of violent attacks in the capital so far this year.

In April the government launched a its serious violence strategy to tackle the issue, which includes an £11m Early Intervention Youth Fund to support community projects that help steer young people away from violence.