Outstanding Ofsted rating for Blackpool children’s services

Children’s services in Blackpool have been rated outstanding by Ofsted.

Inspectors have said Blackpool Council’s services for children in care and services for care leavers are both outstanding, that the impact of leaders on social work practice is outstanding, and that services for children who need help and protection are good.

This rating makes Blackpool one of just two local authorities in the north west to be rated majority outstanding for children’s services, alongside Manchester.

Blackpool Council say they’ve invested heavily across all areas of children’s services in recent years, including in early help, family hubs, adolescent services and targeted support. This, inspectors said, “is facilitating better engagement and responses to children and their families”.

In a report published today, inspectors have said that “sustained improvements” mean “children and their families now benefit from consistently high-quality, innovative services that respond to and meet their needs effectively”.

Ofsted inspectors spent 10 days with the council’s team in June.

Inspectors noted the challenges and deprivation faced by Blackpool, placing pressure on children’s services. But they praised how “the chief executive’s [Neil Jack] mantra is indicative of Blackpool’s approach: ‘Context is not an excuse but reinforces the need to deliver better outcomes.’”

They also noted how children’s services are positioned as a core priority across all council operations, thanks to a “strong political and cross directorate commitment”.

Cllr Jim Hobson, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “This is a fantastic rating for our town, reflecting the care, determination and professionalism that goes into supporting children and families.

“Those of us who have the privilege of working alongside the children’s services team here in Blackpool know just how hard they work. Their work is so often transformational for families. I am thrilled that that has been recognised by Ofsted too. I can’t praise all involved in delivering this rating highly enough.”

Blackpool Council’s children's services department covers social care, support for vulnerable families, safeguarding, fostering and adoption, and special educational needs and disabilities.

The services support a wide range of young people - children in care and care leavers, children at risk of harm, families facing challenges such as poverty, domestic abuse or mental health issues, young carers, and those with disabilities.

The department is overseen day-to-day by highly experienced professionals alongside elected councillors. Its work is independently inspected by Ofsted, while social workers meet professional standards set by Social Work England and follow national legislation and guidance.

An Ofsted inspection report and rating offer an independent assurance of the quality of provision, signalling that the council is effectively protecting and supporting vulnerable children and their families.Blackpool Council’s 600-strong children’s services team celebrated their success at a special thank you event in the Tower Ballroom last week.

The local authority is now acting on feedback to improve planning and reviews for children and young people, to more consistently identify and address where experiences or progress are not being improved in good time.