It’ll be no surprise to readers to hear that the Isle of Wight was named yesterday in Ofsted’s first Social Care Annual Report as one of the worst local authorities in the country for child protection.
The Isle of Wight joined 19 other local authorities, including Kingston upon Thames, Birmingham and Somerset who are considered by Ofsted as failing children in their care.
Inadequate rating
Following an inspection in November 2012, a damning report was released back in January 2013 which found the Isle of Wight’s child protection services to be ‘inadequate’.
Much has happened since then, with a new Children’s Improvement Board, headed by Professor Ray Jones, monitoring progress of changes instigated following the rating.
Hampshire partnership
Earlier in the year Hampshire Children’s Services took over running the Island’s child protection as well as education and a subsequent recruitment drive has attracted experienced members of staff to the team.
Speaking on the release of the report Cllr Richard Priest, cabinet member responsible for children’s services told OnTheWight,
“As far as the Isle of Wight is concerned, the rating quoted in Ofsted’s report relates to an inspection carried out in November 2012. Since then much has been done to turn around children’s social care on the Island, not least our move to enter into a strategic partnership with Hampshire County Council. This is designed to strengthen child protection and education services on the Island.
“The agreement, that became effective on 1 July, is a significant opportunity for both local authorities. We have taken a steady and considered approach to ensure all challenges, risks and solutions have been identified and I am confident that we can now move forward to strive for the very best in children’s services on the Island and, most importantly, for the children and families who deserve the very best support.”
HM chief inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw said:
“As it stands, there are 20 councils where the standard of child protection is unacceptably poor and judged to be inadequate.
“Incompetent and ineffective leadership must be addressed quickly. But where those in leadership positions have capacity and potential, this must be recognised and nurtured.
“Too much leadership volatility in social care is counter-productive – that goes without saying. One in three local authorities has had a change in their director of children’s services last year alone.
“The combination of unstable communities and political and managerial instability in our social care services is a dangerous mix.”
For those who wish to read the report in full, we’ve embedded it below for your convenience.
The report
