Liverpool’s children’s services now rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted following ‘relentless improvements’

Liverpool’s children’s services have undergone notable transformation since 2023, earning a “Good” rating from Ofsted. This marks a dramatic turnaround compared to the inspection just three years prior, which classified the services as “inadequate.” The latest report emphasizes that services for children and families have become safer and more effective, reflecting the council’s concentrated efforts to confront prior challenges and produce tangible results.

The City Council achieved a “Good” rating in several critical areas, including leadership impact on social work practice, the experiences and progress of children needing help and protection, and the care of children in the system. However, Ofsted noted that the experiences and progress of care leavers still “require improvement to be good.” In the 2023 evaluation, Liverpool’s services had been deemed “inadequate” in four out of five key areas. Inspectors applauded the council’s “relentless improvement journey,” highlighting how swiftly and thoroughly areas for development have been addressed, which has led to significant improvements across all aspects of practice.

Leadership at the council received particular commendation. Since the 2023 inspection, senior leaders have “recognised the need for change and acted without delay to implement improvement plans,” with a considerable transformational impact noted. Despite progress, leaders remain determined to maintain momentum and deliver consistently high-quality care to every child. Key improvements identified include prompt child assessments with immediate safety measures where necessary, attentive recording of children’s wishes and feelings to guide plans, thorough assessments that carefully weigh family history and risk, and a strong, consistent focus on safeguarding and positive outcomes.

Additional advancements reported involve the workforce composition shifting toward mostly permanent staff, reduced workloads that enable better relationships between social workers and families, and improved staff morale supported by strong managerial backing. These improvements have been bolstered through enhanced financial investment, robust leadership, and active senior oversight. While celebrating these gains, Ofsted outlined further priorities for enhancement, particularly regarding support for homeless children, private fostering arrangements, and the planning and support for care leavers, especially those not engaged in employment, education, or training. This recent “Good” judgement is part of broader progress at Liverpool City Council, which also includes favorable assessments of adult social care and greater resident satisfaction, leading to the cessation of external government intervention.

Cllr Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council, reflected on the journey, stating, “Three years ago, I promised we would fix our Children’s Services department, and we have delivered on that pledge. This has been a whole team effort, from the political and managerial leadership of the council, down to frontline staff and our partners who have been with us every step of the way.” He emphasized the importance of safeguarding children and acknowledged that the progress made since 2023 is clear evidence of the council’s commitment.

Expressing her satisfaction, Cllr Liz Parsons, Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Services, said: “I’m delighted that the hard work and dedication of everyone in Children’s Services has been recognised by Ofsted. We are absolutely committed to making Liverpool the best place for children to grow up and this recognition from Ofsted is a testament to the journey we’ve been on.” Similarly, Jenny Glennard, Corporate Director of Children and Young People’s Services, praised the workforce, schools, and partners, acknowledging continuous work ahead and emphasizing that the focus on children’s voices is now more central in driving service improvements. She added, “We are proud but never satisfied, and we know that improvement is a continuous journey – and our ambition is to make our services the best in the country.”

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