By KLTV Newsdesk –
Kirklees Council’s Children’s Services have been commended by Ofsted for delivering high-quality support to vulnerable children and young people.
Following a thorough three-week inspection, Ofsted awarded the service a ‘good’ rating, recognising the significant progress made in key areas, including the experiences and progress of children in need of help and protection, those in care, care leavers, and the impact of leadership on social work practice.
The Ofsted report highlighted numerous strengths within Kirklees Children’s Services, alongside areas for development that the council is already addressing.
The leadership team was described as established and confident, supported by dedicated staff and strong corporate and political backing, all of which have contributed to the service’s improvement.
Inspectors praised the range of effective, tailored services that meet local needs and positively impact children’s lives.
Key findings from the Ofsted inspection include:
- Social workers carefully consider children’s experiences and histories, meeting with them promptly and listening attentively to their views.
- There is a strong emphasis on keeping children safely within their family networks where possible, an ethos that is shared across the workforce.
- Children at risk of exploitation benefit from a robust multi-agency response that helps reduce risks and disrupt exploiters’ activities.
- Disabled children receive effective services and comprehensive support packages.
- Social workers have strong relationships with the children and families they support, engaging in sensitive direct work to help them understand their circumstances.
- Children in care are placed in stable foster homes that meet their needs well.
- Care leavers expressed genuine warmth and appreciation for the consistent and enduring support they receive.
- Newly qualified social workers are well supported within the service.
- Staff morale is high, with employees feeling valued and committed to working in Kirklees.
- The leadership has fostered a culture that attracts and retains skilled practitioners dedicated to the welfare of children in the area.
Councillor Viv Kendrick, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, expressed pride in the team’s accomplishments, stating, “To be assessed as ‘good’ by Ofsted is a significant achievement, earned by everyone involved.
“This report reflects our collective commitment to safeguarding children, acting in their best interests, and helping them thrive, regardless of their circumstances.
“While we’ve made tremendous progress, there is always more to do, and we will continue striving for excellence.”
Councillor Carole Pattison, Leader of Kirklees Council, reaffirmed the council’s commitment to delivering the best outcomes for children, especially those in care or needing additional support. She emphasised that, despite the growing pressures on social care, both locally and nationally, Ofsted recognised the high standards of practice in Kirklees.
Tom Brailsford, Executive Director for Children and Families, expressed his pride in the staff’s dedication, stating, “I’m delighted that our team’s commitment has been recognised.
“Our workforce truly cares about the support we provide and always asks, ‘Would this be good enough for my own child?’ While there are still improvements to be made, we had already identified these areas and put plans in place before the inspection.
“Working together with our partners, our aim is for every child in Kirklees to fulfil their potential.”
The inspection, which took place in July, was the first in Kirklees since 2019. The council says they remain committed to continuing its progress and ensuring that children and families across the district receive the highest standard of care and support.
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