Ofsted inspectors reviewed the children’s social care services at Torbay Council on the 24th August.
The inspection, which took place on the 11th June and 5th July 2018, focused on reviewing direct work with children.
The areas covered included:
- children in need of help and protection
- children looked after
- adoption performance
- experiences and progress of care leavers.
Ofsted inspectors also interviewed staff from Torbay Council.
Torbay children’s services inadequate
The conclusion of the inspectors visit was that Torbay Councils Children’s Service remains inadequate, and recognised key areas of improvement, these included
- Children who need help and protection: Inadequate
- Children looked after and achieving permanence:
- Adoption performance Good
- Experiences and progrès of care leavers: Requires improvement
- Leadership Management and governance: inadequate
Inadequate since 2016
Torbay Council has been judged inadequate since 2016, and as a result has been under the direction of the Secretary of State and commissioner from Hampshire County Council appointed by the Department for Education.
Earlier in the year Torbay and Plymouth Councils entreated into a contractual agreement with a joint director of Children’s Services.
Director of Children’s Services, Alison Botham said:
We are disappointed with the judgement of this Ofsted inspection, but we acknowledge the issues identified that have impacted on the pace and consistency of improvements and outcomes for children. We are already implementing recommendations requiring immediate action, in order to address the significant weaknesses identified in key areas.
Following this disappointing report from Oftsted, Torbay Council will now be focusing on a number of key areas including:
- Timely practice to assess need, plan and respond effectively when protective action is required
- Visiting children and young people we work with within required timescales
- Ensuring regular supervision and management oversight
- Reviewing all in house foster carers, undertaking health assessments and providing the necessary training and support
- Stabilising the management and staffing arrangements.
