Ofsted praises London borough’s 'sensitive' support for refugee children
Joe Lepper
Thursday, July 21, 2022
Support offered by Kensington and Chelsea Council to unaccompanied asylum-seeking children fleeing conflict in Ukraine and Afghanistan has been praised by Ofsted inspectors.
Following their visit in June inspectors found that the “wider needs and issues” of children fleeing war zones and oppression are “well considered”, even though many are placed out of the borough.
Inspectors praised the children’s services team’s work to “address all their needs including accommodation, education, physical and mental health, culture and friendship”.
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Initiatives to aid Ukraine arrivals
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Councils assemble vital support for Afghan children and families
“They receive sensitive and appropriate support despite the fact that many of their placements are out of area, making it more difficult for them to fully access and engage with the authority’s services and community support,” inspectors said in a letter to children’s services leaders in the borough.
This latest visit was focused on Kensington and Chelsea’s support to protect children from harm from threats outside of their family. It took place three years after its children’s services were rated "outstanding" following a full inspection.
Ofsted said children at risk of harm across the borough “receive excellent support” based around “carefully crafted safety plans” to look at issues that add to children’s vulnerability, after their June visit.
Strong partnership working and promotion among a range of professions of risks faced by children outside of their family are also praised by Ofsted.
“As a result, professionals can swiftly identify vulnerable children and ensure they and their families receive early and effective support to mitigate risks,” states Ofsted’s letter to the council.
It adds: “Workers are passionate about improving children’s safety and creating opportunities for them. Leaders and practitioners continually drive innovation and development of practice, recognising the evolving nature of extra-familial risks.
“They continuously seek to improve the impact of the support they provide.”
Also welcomed is the work by the area’s multi-agency safeguarding hub to report when children are missing from home. Support when they return is also praised. This includes ensuring there is “careful consideration” to ensure “the worker who has the strongest relationship” with each child takes the lead offering this support.
An Ofsted report released this week has praised the Council's Children's Services, describing teams as "innovative" and their work "carefully-considered". Find out more about Ofsted's findings on our Children's Services:https://t.co/GnN2FJFNxs pic.twitter.com/jx0b3xjbYt
— Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (@RBKC) July 21, 2022
“These teams are continually improving to ensure the safety and harmony of local families,” said Kensington and Chelsea’s lead member for family and children’s services Catherine Faulks.
“From supporting new arrivals from Afghanistan and Ukraine, to helping families escape the heat this week as we opened up children’s centres with cool indoor spaces, paddling pools and sun cream – our workers are putting children at the heart of everything they do.”
Kensington and Chelsea is among a number of councils to run local support schemes for children fleeing Ukraine. This includes work by Islington Borough Council to create a Ukrainian library resource for families.
Meanwhile, Westminster City Council’s support to protect children from harm from outside their family has also been praised, following a focused visit by Ofsted.
Inspectors said the council “know their most vulnerable children” and the risks they face.
Strong information sharing around risks and a commitment from senior leaders to safeguarding local young people, is also praised by inspectors.
“I want to thank all staff from front-line practitioners to senior leadership for collectively achieving this excellent Ofsted result,” said Tim Roca, Westminster’s cabinet member for young people, learning and leisure.
“As a council, we will continue working hard to keep our most vulnerable children and young people safe.”