Croydon’s children’s services have been rated ‘good’ by Ofsted following an inspection in October 2024.
In their report published today, Ofsted acknowledged that the Council has achieved an overall good rating ‘against a backdrop of significant challenges’. These include Croydon’s financial difficulties, and the increased demand for and cost of services in London’s largest borough. In addition to the financial and other challenges Croydon has faced, Ofsted noted the scale and complexity of the borough’s operation.
Inspectors found that Croydon’s children’s services have ‘improved in most areas’ since the Council’s previous ‘good’ rating in 2020. They said that Executive Mayor Jason Perry, the Cabinet Member and the Chief Executive ‘advocate strongly for children and corporate parenting is a strength in the Council, with children and care leavers fully involved and listened to.’
Services for children in care and for care leavers are now rated as ‘good’. Ofsted highlighted social workers’ ‘creative, sensitive’ work as well as the high numbers of children who have access to independent visitors, and advocates to help them understand their rights and give them a voice.
Services for care leavers have ‘significantly improved’ since the last inspection. Social workers and personal advisers help care leavers to ‘follow their dreams and have successful futures’. Children’s services are working closely with housing colleagues to increase affordable accommodation options for care leavers.
Ofsted particularly praised Croydon’s work with its young ambassadors – care experienced children and young people appointed by the Council to influence decision-making and the services they receive.
The impact of senior leaders on social work practice with children and families has been rated as ‘good’. Ofsted noted the positive impact of the leadership team in children’s services, their awareness of areas for improvement and bold plans to tackle them. Croydon has successfully increased the permanent workforce in children’s social care to 80%. Staff told inspectors that they like working in Croydon, particularly because of the diversity of the borough, and they enjoy good management and peer support.
Croydon’s Ofsted inspection report in 2020 had identified some areas for improvement in the experiences and progress of children who need help and protection. In the latest inspection, they found that progress has been made, but ‘despite some strong areas of practice in help and protection, not all children in Croydon receive a consistently effective service.’ In some areas, such as the out-of-hours service, the pace of change has been too slow, or it is too soon to see the positive impact for children and families.
Ofsted acknowledges that senior leaders are aware of the need for change and have well-devised plans in place but ‘it is too soon to see the impact of these plans for all children.’
They found that when children are at risk of harm, social workers act quickly to make sure that they are made safe. Inspectors noted that: ‘dedicated and skilled social workers know their children well and have positive relationships with them.’
Disabled children receive a responsive and sensitive service from their social workers, who advocate strongly to ensure services meet their needs.
More children live in Croydon than anywhere else in London; it is also home to the national asylum intake unit at Lunar House. Croydon’s virtual school team, which oversees educational standards for children in care and care leavers, supports more than 1,000 school-aged children from other boroughs.
“This is good news for Croydon, and testament to the hard work and dedication of our children’s services staff. They work tirelessly to care for and support our children and young people, and their families, every day, often in the most difficult circumstances.
“I also want to thank the children and young people who have worked with us to improve the services we provide. My priority remains to listen to them and their voices are making a real difference to all children in Croydon. I am particularly pleased that Ofsted recognised our young ambassadors for their important work.
“This is a good report, but we are far from complacent. Some areas still require improvement. We want to provide consistently good help and protection to all our young people, at the earliest possible stage. We know where we need to get better, with plans under way – now we will be stepping up the pace.”
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon
Debbie Jones, Corporate Director for Children, Young People and Education, said: “Croydon is a busy borough with many challenges, but it is an incredibly special place to work. We are privileged to have so many caring, committed, and talented social workers; I’m really pleased that they enjoy coming to work and that they feel supported here in Croydon. There are areas where we need to get better, but this is good, sustainable progress – a strong foundation on which to build for the future.”
Read the report in full here.
