Dorset Council Children’s Services have been rated “outstanding” by Ofsted. Its Cabinet member is Green Councillor Clare Sutton (since May 2024, in an otherwise Lib Dem Cabinet).
Children’s Services were graded outstanding in its impact of leaders on social work practice, experiences and progress of children who need help, experiences of children in care and overall effectiveness. It was graded good for the experiences and progress of care leavers.
There were many positive highlights in the report including: “children continue to be placed at the heart of Dorset local authority”, and “practitioners’ relentless dedication to ensure children, families and care leavers receive the support they need shone through in this inspection”.
Ofsted’s report found that Dorset children receive “exceptional services” that help meet their needs, supporting them to have better experiences. It also says that since the previous inspection in 2021 when a rating of ‘good’ was given, senior leaders have continually strengthened and developed children’s services.
The report also noted that the “availability of appropriate accommodation for young people has significantly improved”, as a result of a “forward-thinking approach and investment in additional properties”. When care leavers find themselves in housing crisis, the service responds “quickly and effectively.”
The report found that almost all unaccompanied asylum-seeking care leavers live in accommodation with carers or support staff, attuned to their cultural needs, supporting them to develop the life skills they need to live independently.
Councillor Clare Sutton said: “We work hard to put children, young people and families at the centre of everything we do because we want Dorset to be the best place to be a child. I am therefore delighted that this report recognises the progress we have made, although we always strive to do more and to do it better.
“The report reflects how our fantastic staff and partners come together to deliver the best services we can, and I am particularly pleased that Ofsted commended the strong participation and involvement of our children, young people and families. Their voices are vital in shaping decisions both about their own lives and about the services we provide as a whole.”
Photo: Dorset Council