Surrey County Council to retain control of children's services

Children's services at Surrey County Council were given the lowest Ofsted rating in June 2015, after inspectors flagged up serious concerns about how it deals with child sexual exploitation.

It was again rated "inadequate" in May 2018 after inspectors found that vulnerable children were being left exposed to harm for long periods of time.

Trevor Doughty, previously director of children's services at Cornwall County Council and now director of children’s sector-led improvement at the Local Government Association, was appointed as commissioner by the Department for Education (DfE) to oversee improvements following the second inadequate rating.

Former Association of Directors of Children's Services president Dave Hill was appointed director of children's services by the council to help turn things around.

• Analysis: Review of inspection framework highlights areas for improvement

• Inspections Clinic: Sector-led improvement

The last of three progress reviews conducted by Doughty, which is due to be discussed at a meeting of Surrey County Council's cabinet today, said progress noted in his previous two reports is continuing.

He said he found clear signs that the performance and quality of help and protection practice are improving, and "front door" social care services and early help provision are also continuing to get better.

The report also notes "impressive and rapid improvement" in terms of quality assurance.

"It is reassuring that the quality assurance and performance systems which have been given priority in underpinning service development, are delivering honest and thorough audits and performance reports giving senior managers a clear measurement of progress," the report states.

"Progress has been impressive and there is clear evidence of practice improvement and cultural change. Staff morale is good and they report a positive working environment.

"My view is that sustainable improvement is underway in the authority and that an alternative delivery model no longer needs to be a consideration."

The DfE will now decide whether any further specific action is required. Surrey County Council said that subject to ministerial agreement, the formal involvement of a commissioner for children's services has now ended.

The next Ofsted monitoring visit will take place in April. Surrey County Council said it expects to have greater certainty on whether children’s services will be ready for a full re-inspection later this year once the findings of the monitoring report are published.