Children's services improving at pace, says Ofsted

Children's services that had been rated as inadequate are making improvements with "rigour and pace", inspectors found.

Peterborough City Council's children in care service had been criticised by Ofsted in 2023.

But a monitoring visit in July noted progress was being made and praised leaders who "continue to drive improvement".

Katy Cole, Peterborough City Council's cabinet member for children's services, said "great strides" had been made but more work was needed.

The newly published Ofsted report said: "Leaders have a good understanding of current performance and continue to drive improvement with rigour and pace.

"Financial investment in placement sufficiency has led to an increase in local foster carers, the creation of a House Project for young people and the development of a clinical service to support placement stability."

It also found stability for children was promoted by social workers, with foster carers encouraged to consider and secure special guardianship orders (SGOs) in line with the child's best interests.

While recognising the progress made, inspectors noted there was more to do and an ongoing need for investment to improve the lives of Peterborough's most vulnerable children.

Ms Cole, of the council, said: " We have made great strides with helping children in care, becoming the first authority in the East of England to launch its very own House Project earlier this year which is improving the experiences, outcomes, and lives of young people leaving care.

"However, as the Ofsted inspectors state, there is still much work to be done. Our administration is fully focussed on working collaboratively and effectively to continue to improve this vital service."

Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.