Ofsted rates ADCS president's council 'outstanding'

Inspectors said leaders in East Sussex, where Stuart Gallimore has been director of children's services since 2014, set exceptionally high standards, adding that they clearly communicate that "this is simply what all vulnerable children are entitled to".

"Leaders and managers have successfully established a culture in which talented social workers stay, and where effective social work flourishes," the report states.

"The social care workforce is impressively stable and resilient at all levels and in all teams."

Inspectors specifically praised the department's model of "connected practice", which focuses on building relationships with families and working intensively to help them solve problems themselves.

The report states that the model has resulted in "helpful, enduring and trusting relationships" between practitioners, children and their families, sometimes over many years.

"Examples of creative and purposeful direct work with children are widespread, and this work leads to substantial improvements in children's lives," the report adds.

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Inspectors also praised the council for being a "strong, dynamic learning organisation" that encourages self-reflection at all levels.

"Political leaders firmly hold senior managers to account for the quality of practice and performance through highly effective strategic arrangements and direct involvement in practice audits," the report states.

"Since the last inspection in 2014, when the overall effectiveness of services for children was judged to be ‘good', the highly committed senior and political leadership team has sustained determined and detailed oversight of practice. Leaders and managers work creatively and persistently with partners to respond to emerging and changing need."

Commenting on the inspection findings, Gallimore said: "We recognise that social workers are our most important resource and it is vital that the right support and learning is in place to allow them to have the most positive impact on the lives of the families they work with.

"Social work in East Sussex is grounded in a connected practice approach because we know how vital protective, nurturing and guiding relationships are to children's lives.

"Our focus is on working with families to provide the best possible support for children and parents, and we are delighted that the efforts of our dedicated staff and the success of our approach have been highlighted by Ofsted inspectors.

"We also recognise that there are limits to what a social worker can do, which is where our Swift service steps in - providing multi-disciplinary interventions for domestic abuse, mental health, sexual abuse and drugs and alcohol misuse. This helps us to develop the network of expertise across the organisation and support the county council's learning culture."