THURROCK children’s services are improving but there is still room for improvement Ofsted has said following a visit.
The watchdog graded the service as requiring improvement in 2016 and though it was rated good in 2019 Thurrock has come under fire for the number of children in care that go missing each year reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Ofsted carried out a “focused visit” on June 30 and July 1 to check on Thurrock’s arrangements for the protection of vulnerable children from “extra-familial harm”. This includes, children missing from home or care, children involved in criminal exploitation and by gangs, child sexual exploitation and radicalisation.
The two-day on-site visit by inspectors included interviews with social workers and front line social work managers.
While largely praising the service, inspectors outlined three areas requiring improvement.
These are earlier transition planning for children in care and care leavers who are exposed to risk of child exploitation, gangs and extra-familial harm, involving children who have absconded in return home interviews when they return and supporting children at risk of harm where there are diverse and complex needs.
In a letter to councillors, inspectors said: “Not all families are convinced of the benefits of working together with professionals to safeguard their children. Where families are resistant to help, professional involvement is not always coordinated well enough to engage the family proactively and effectively in the delivery of services, to meet their diverse needs.
“ As a result, some children remain gripped in these harmful situations, beyond their own and their parents’ control.”
However, they add: “Thurrock Council continues to provide effective, responsive services for vulnerable children.
Children have remained a key focus for elected members and they continue to be a corporate priority. Leaders have worked with strategic partners to develop a shared ‘public health’ multi-agency approach to confront risk to children, families and the wider community from child exploitation, gangs and other forms of extra-familial harm.
“Careful attention is paid to referrals about children who are reported missing from home or care, even when risks and vulnerability are deemed to be low. The response to missing children, identified at the last inspection as an area for further development, is now more consistent.”
Councillors on the health and wellbeing committee will discuss the findings on Friday.
