A North East council’s children’s services have been rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted in its latest inspection.

Hartlepool Borough Council (HBC) have confirmed the rating which Ofsted called a “significant achievement” for the service.

The report, which comes after an inspection in March this year, noted the “consistently good practice across all parts of the service” as well as its “exceptionally strong management oversight” and leadership.

This is the service’s latest inspection from Ofsted, with the last taking place in 2018 – where it was rated ‘good.’

The report said: “Inspectors saw consistently good practice across all parts of the service with exceptionally strong management oversight and a leadership team with an unwavering commitment to children and the workforce.

“Senior leaders have not only sustained the good practice and leadership seen at the last inspection, they have been relentless in driving further progress and improvements.

“This is in the context of continuing to provide an effective service to children and families throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and a significant increase in complexity of need and demand on services.”

The report notably highlighted:

  • Very strong and effective focus on providing help early to children and their families.
  • Child protection enquiries, which they called thorough, and the effective actions taken to help reduce harm to children.
  • Social work assessments of children’s needs are exceptionally thorough and child-centred.
  • The voice of children is valued and threaded through the service.
  • Young people leaving care are very well supported by committed staff … There is a palpable culture across children’s social care and among council leaders and members that care leavers are ‘their’ children.

“The overwhelming majority of children who need help, protection or care in Hartlepool receive an outstanding service that helps to improve their lives,” the report added.

In a letter to the council’s Sally Robinson, Ofsted’s national director of regulation and social care, Yvette Stanley, said: “This is a significant achievement.

“This outcome is testament to your hard work and tenacity, as well as that of the leadership team, managers and frontline staff, the wider Council and your safeguarding partners.”

Sally Robinson said: “We want every child and young person in Hartlepool to enjoy their best possible life in a safe, protective, loving and encouraging environment and everything we do – and every member of our team – is dedicated to that goal.

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“As the inspectors noted, the voice of children is threaded throughout our service, and we are delighted to have earned this highest rating.”

Denise McGuckin, the Council’s managing director, said: “I would like to congratulate Sally and every member of her Children’s Services team on this fantastic achievement.

“We are tremendously proud of all that they do for the children and young people of Hartlepool – they are a very great credit to the Council and the town.”