Council's 'long journey' to good Ofsted rating

Surrey County Council has turned around previous "inadequate" Ofsted ratings to secure a "good" label for its children's services.

An inspection of the authority's children's services was carried out in March and the report published on Friday.

The county council has been working to turn around the "requires improvement" rating it was given in 2022, following "inadequate" ratings in 2015 and 2018.

Clare Curran, cabinet member for children, families and lifelong learning, told BBC Radio Surrey the rating was testament to staff who had worked "tirelessly, relentlessly" to improve the service.

She added: "It has taken some time and it has been a long journey."

All areas were rated "good", including the overall effectiveness judgement.

Previously, a member of Surrey County Council asked whether there should be resignations at the authority following mistakes made over Sara Sharif.

The 10-year-old was found dead at her home in Woking in August 2023, after suffering a series of injuries following years of abuse at the hands of her father and stepmother.

Curran said Ofsted's latest inspection was a "really thorough process" which "extensively scrutinised" the council's safeguarding practice and children's social care service.

She said although the inspection report made "numerous references to good practice in the area of safeguarding", the council was "playing an absolutely full and active part" in the independent safeguarding practice review that was ongoing into Sara's death.

Curran added: "Sara's death was incredibly distressing, very sad and our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to all those who knew and loved her."

The report said most children and families in Surrey now received the help, protection and care that they needed.

"Services have improved substantially since the last inspection in 2022, when they required improvement," inspectors said.

"These improvements to practice have been achieved through skilled leadership, strong political and corporate support, and well-trained and committed staff."

Areas for improvements related to the number of care leavers in education, training and employment, and equity of experiences for them regarding housing.

Asked about the council's provision for children with additional needs, which did not form part of the latest Ofsted inspection but has been previously criticised, Curran said the council was "resolute" on its ambition to improve.

She said the Ofsted report showed SCC had "capacity to transform and improve services" and was undergoing the same process of improvement for children with additional needs.

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