Yvette Stanley, Director of Children’s, Schools and Families, gave a presentation outlining the outcomes of the recent Ofsted Single Inspection and LSCB review.  The following points were highlighted:

·         This was a forensic inspection of Merton’s services which even included a visit from the new Minister;

·         Over 206 staff and partners were interviewed;

·         Additionally, members of the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Panel were interviewed.  Ofsted complimented the Panel for its cross party working for the benefit of vulnerable children in Merton.  Additionally, the Panel was credited for receiving a full suit of performance monitoring indicators at every meeting;

·         The inspection has confirmed that Merton is in the top 10 local authorities nationally for its provision of children’s services;

·         Ofsted found that managers and social workers know their children well.  This reflects the approach of having small teams within the Department allowing clear line of sight and understanding of all cases;

·         The important role of schools and settings in helping to deliver services was also highlighted by Ofsted;

·         Merton’s systemic model and approach to safeguarding was found to be robust by Ofsted; this works to ensure children are heard and where possible child in need, protection and care plans are focussed on making children safer and improving their outcomes as a result;

·         Merton’s good multiagency working was highlighted;

·         The Council had just started a new contract for return home interviews with missing children.  This will as it is embedded be providing high quality interviews.  The process has been shortened meaning interviews are happening quicker.  However, this was too newly established to be able to influence the outcome of the inspection; and

·         The weekly Missing meetings hosted in the MASH and The Children Missing from Education Board were both developed based on Ofsted best practice and therefore were also praised as part of the inspection.

Looked after children

·         The approach of the Corporate Parenting Board with the involvement of opposition members and the Chief Executive as chair, was praised by Ofsted;

·         Merton’s approach to care proceedings was credited with being the best out of boroughs using the South West London courts;

·         Care planning was seen to be effective in a significant majority of cases;

·         All out of borough placements have to be reviewed and approved with a review undertaken of potential risks;

·         The Virtual School was seen to be supporting children in achieving the right targets which are expressed through personal education plans;

·         Merton was again complimented for its multidisciplinary working;

·         Placements for children were shown to be stable resulting in positive outcomes; and

·         Services for young unaccompanied asylum seekers impressed Ofsted.

Adoption

·         The service gained a rare outstanding judgement.  This is against a backdrop of all services having been challenged by Government to improve;

·         At the time of the inspection, all children had been placed with their adoptive families with none waiting placements.  The service was praised for the timely and careful way in which it approaches placements;

·         The quality of the assessment of adoptive parents and life story  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5