Inspectors from Ofsted have rated children’s services in Ealing as overall ‘good’ in their latest report following a previous finding of ‘requires improvement’ from 2019.
The inspection, which took place between 22 April 2024 to 3 May 2024 saw the council assessed across a range of areas and the quality of service being delivered to support children and was rated as ‘good’ in four of of five areas of Ofsted judgement with ‘The experiences and progress of children who need help and protection’ being rated as ‘requires improvement to be good’.
In its report, inspectors said: “Services for children in Ealing have been strengthened since the last Ofsted inspection in 2019, when they were judged as requires improvement overall.
“Corporate leaders, including the leader of the council, the chief executive officer and the director of children’s services, share a determination to continually improve the quality of service provided to children and their families.
“There has been a concerted effort to drive performance and practice standards across children’s services. Recent developments include the creation of a dedicated assessment team and the successful engagement of partner agencies, including health and housing, to deliver targeted services to vulnerable children in the borough.”
The report also highlighted a number of areas that still need to be improved.
Leader of Ealing Council, Peter Mason said: “This is a hugely positive achievement for our children’s services and reflects our ongoing determination to ensure that every child and young person in Ealing has a fair start where they lead a happy and healthy life.
“I’m particularly proud that inspectors highlighted the achievements of our care leavers, pointing out the impressive numbers of them who go on to university and further education. We take our responsibility as corporate parents to children and young people in care very seriously. It’s really heartening that so many of them spoke so positively with the inspectors about the care and support they’ve received and that unaccompanied asylum-seeking children are warmly welcomed and are quickly made to feel safe and supported.”
Josh Blacker, Ealing Council’s cabinet member for a fairer start added: “I would like to thank everyone involved in our children’s services for their hard work and determination to give the best start to children and young people. We know there is more work to be done and have plans in place to ensure every child gets the best possible support.”
