Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council’s services for children and families have been rated as good by Ofsted inspectors.
The inspectors found services had improved since a previous inspection visit in 2022 and praised the work of staff who ensure vulnerable children and young people are kept safe and supported to achieve their best possible start in life.
The inspectors found:
“There are lots of great services in Redcar and Cleveland that help children when difficulties arise. This means when families have small problems, they get help quickly so that they do not become big ones.
“This means that more children can continue to live safely and happily at home with their families. When children are at risk of serious harm, social workers act very quickly to make sure they are kept as safe as possible.
“By working together, social workers and families work out the best way to help children and improve their lives. This support is usually successful, and most children’s lives improve.
“When it is not safe for children to remain living with their parents, social workers work hard to find a family member or friend who can look after them and keep them safe. If this is not possible, leaders make efforts to identify foster carers or children’s homes.”
The inspectors said they had heard ‘lots of examples’ of children succeeding in life and that young people leaving care say their workers helped them ‘a lot’.
They described the children in care and care leaver’s council group as ‘fabulous’, saying their members have had a real impact on the development of services for cared for children and care leavers in Redcar and Cleveland. In turn, inspectors found that senior leaders listen to what children and young people have to say.
They added:
“When senior leaders see anything that isn’t working properly, they are quick to do something about it. There is a real commitment in children’s services to make sure children and young people have the best opportunities in life.”
Cllr Bill Suthers, Cabinet member for Children, said:
“I am so proud of all our staff who work every day of the year to improve the lives of children and young people in our care. They ensure they have the same amount of love and support that children receive from their parents and have the best possible start in life.
“The inspectors recognised the huge improvement in all aspects of what can, at times, be an incredibly challenging task. My congratulations and thanks go to all our staff for what is a terrific achievement made possible by their skill and ongoing commitment."
Council Leader Cllr Alec Brown added:
“I would like to add my thanks and congratulations to the whole team for caring so well for our most vulnerable children and young people. Caring for children with complex needs comes at a very high financial cost for all councils across the country, but this in-depth inspection found we are doing the right thing for the most vulnerable. We have a legal and moral duty to do this, and we must continue to fulfil this duty in the future.”