Ofsted give verdict on Blackpool Council’s Children’s Services

Blackpool Council’s services for children are continuing to improve, a new Ofsted report says.

Last month’s visit looked at how the council supports children who need help or protection.

Inspectors found that leaders have maintained a strong focus on child safety and wellbeing, even as demand for services has increased.

Inspectors highlighted several strengths in Blackpool’s approach. Assessments of children’s needs are now more timely and thorough, with swift action taken when risks are identified.

Staff build strong relationships with families and offer tailored support, including help with parenting, routines, budgeting, and improving home conditions.

Social workers feel well supported and safe to practice, and morale across the workforce is high.

The council’s practice model, ‘Blackpool Families Rock’, is well embedded and understood, helping guide a strength-based and collaborative approach to safeguarding.

However, the inspectors also noted that while assessment quality has improved, inconsistency in the quality of some children’s plans is leading to drift and delay in their plans being progressed.

What improvements are still needed?

◼ The consistency and quality of safety planning for children, including proactively involving children’s wider family networks. (Outcome 3, national framework)

◼ The quality of supervision and management oversight, ensuring that actions and timescales are recorded and tracked to prevent drift and delay. (Enabler 3, national framework)

◼ The consistency and quality of decision-making for families in pre-proceedings to reduce drift and delay, including the quality of letters before proceedings.

What they say

Cllr Jim Hobson, Blackpool Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “We’ve rebuilt our service into a much stronger, child-centred system that is shaped by the children and families we work with.

“Earlier this year, the joint inspection praised our leadership, partnerships, and specialist work like the Awaken team. Ofsted’s latest visit confirms that progress.

“While we’re proud, we aren’t complacent—we’ll keep improving to support every child in Blackpool.”

Children’s Services in Blackpool have made significant progress in recent year. Earlier this year, a Joint Targeted Area Inspection (JTAI) praised Blackpool’s multi-agency safeguarding work, leadership, and specialist teams such as Awaken.

This latest Ofsted visit builds on that trajectory, recognising continued improvement and a strong commitment to children’s welfare.

The full report can be read on Ofsted’s website.