Ofsted ILACS inspection 2024
Work to improve our services for children and young people has been recognised by Ofsted and in the inspection report, an overall rating of ‘requires improvement’ was awarded.
Inspectors said that there had been 'significant' improvements since an Ofsted Focused Visit to the ‘front door’ in December 2022, particularly praising the work of the new Director of Children’s Services, David Haley, and the work that has taken place to improve and transform the service.
Inspectors recognised the work taking place to ensure that children and young people get the support they need to help them stay safe and that social workers work hard to support children to enable them to stay living with their parents. Children and young people who are in care live with people who care about them and who work hard to do their best for them, and when they are ready to leave care, the right support is in place. The inspectors particularly praised the fact that leaders understand the strengths and weaknesses of their service and have a realistic plan in place to address the areas of improvement.
The report identified that improvements are needed in some areas, including:
- The response to worries and concerns for children out of office hours
- The effectiveness of some aspects of joint working across the council and with partner agencies, in particular, housing, health, schools and education providers, and adult social care services
- The quality and availability of accommodation for children and young people
- The timeliness of health assessments for children in care
- The support for children and young people to access appropriate education, training and employment
- How effectively the local authority works with schools and education providers to bring down the current high rate of children being excluded
- The arrangements to plan for and support children with additional needs to smoothly transition to adult services.
Read the full Ofsted ILACS inspection report.
Plymouth Safeguarding Children’s Partnership
The Plymouth Safeguarding Children Partnership (PSCP) co-ordinates the multi-agency safeguarding working in Plymouth and quality assures its effectiveness and impact upon our children, young people and families.
"The PSCB has benefited from the support of the Academy for Social Work not only in disseminating and embedding learning into social work practice, but also in informing, supporting and guiding on key safeguarding initiatives and frameworks that affect Plymouth. The knowledge, experience and support of this dedicated Academy has been invaluable in supporting our multi-agency partners and extends access, reach and insight for the PSCB into government policy and proposals on social work practice."