HIGH PRAISE was given to Wokingham Borough Council’s children services after a recent Ofsted visit.
Carried out remotely, inspectors looked at social workers’ practices and outcomes for children.
It looked at a range of information, including case audits, records and holding case discussions with social workers.
Ofsted said it saw a vast improvement since the last inspection two years ago, with “considerable advances in the quality of social work practice and outcomes for children.”
Recognition was given for the compass team, a specialist service launched in June last year for children on the edge of care, to help keep families together.
Inspectors said the service reacted quickly to pandemic challenges, with staff able to adapt to remote working.
The inspector praised the relationship social workers had built with parents and children.
Cllr Graham Howe, executive member for children’s services, said he is “delighted” with the outcome of the Ofsted visit.
He said: “I am proud of the team for delivering such a good service to safeguard the children of the borough and demonstrating such a vast improvement since the previous visit two years ago, especially during a global pandemic, is a huge achievement.
“The safety and wellbeing of our children across the borough is a key priority for the council, so I am pleased to know that we are doing a good job for those most in need.”
For more details, visit wokingham.gov.uk
