A recent Ofsted report into Knowsley Council’s children’s services said “widespread failures” were putting vulnerable children at risk
Anthony Douglas CBE has been appointed the independent Chair of Knowsley’s Improvement Board(Image: Knowsley Council)
Knowsley Council “let a lot of children down” but is on the right path following a damning Ofsted report according to a experienced government advisor. Anthony Douglas CBE, advisor at the Department of Education (DfE) and chair of the authority’s new improvement board addressed the area’s response to an inadequate assessment from the education watchdog earlier this year.
A meeting of Knowsley Council on 16 July received an update on the ongoing work to improve services for children and families in the borough. Mr Douglas was appointed following an ‘inadequate’ Ofsted rating for its children’s services.
In January, the local authority was subject to a damning Ofsted report which highlighted ‘widespread failures’. Most concerning of all, inspectors found the council was unable to effectively protect vulnerable children and exposed them to ‘harmful and unsafe’ situations.
Knowsley Council’s ‘inadequate’ Ofsted rating means it’s now the fourth local authority in the Liverpool City Region judged to be failing in its core responsibilities – joining Sefton, Liverpool and Halton councils.
Since publication, Knowsley Council said it has implemented a series of changes as it work towards improving children’s services ahead of the next Ofsted monitoring visit.
Alongside noting positive progress, Mr Douglas addressed the council’s overall approach to its improvement journey, he said in his address to the chamber: “Although you let a lot of children down over the past few years, you’re practising in a restorative way to make things better quickly, and you’re thinking about those children first and foremost.”
Adding: “I am really pleased that Knowsley is making good progress in improving its services for children and families.
“We are all realistic that it will take time to see all of the changes we need but I have to commend the Council – its officers, elected members and partners – for their positive and proactive approach and the strength of the teamwork that is clearly evident.
“All of these efforts are helping to create the right conditions for sustainable improvement, and I hope that this approach will realise long-term benefits for the children of Knowsley.”
The local authority said it has engaged a number of external improvement specialists to undertake specific pieces of work to address the recommendations in the Ofsted report.
Areas of particular focus include establishing priorities around children with disabilities, expertise in auditing cases and implementing recommendations and support with reviewing the offer to care experienced young people.
Cllr David Lonergan, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “Ofsted will be carrying out a further monitoring visit in September, so I hope that they endorse the work we are doing and confirm we are moving in the right direction.
“We will continue to progress our improvement plan and ensure our children and families get the very best help and support which they need and deserve.”