Child Protection - Ofsted inspection findings

Press release

29th November 2023

An Ofsted inspection of Child Protection plans in Sunderland has described them as 'timely and effective'.

The findings have been published today Wednesday 29 November following visits on Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 October.

Ofsted looked at how Sunderland's Together for Children staff work with families and children, and other agencies such as the police and NHS.

Child Protection plans set down actions to support a child, young person or their family as soon as a problem emerges. This help and assistance can be needed at any stage in a child's life, whether it's from pre-birth to adolescence.

Inspectors said in their headline findings (Focused visit/inspection letter) that: 'Children in need or those subject to a child protection plan in Sunderland typically receive timely and effective support when they need it. Their needs and risks are assessed by highly skilled and committed workers who, in partnership with children's family networks and professionals, develop clear plans to make children safer.

'Most children's assessments seen during this visit are timely, and child-focused. They include information from a range of sources which is used to analyse risk to children and identify their support needs. Previous history and involvement with families is considered for most children. When assessments are in progress, workers have a good sense of what is happening in the child's life and the action needed while the assessment is under way.'

Together for Children receives several thousand contacts about child welfare every year which are all screened and checked. There are currently (November 2023) 441 children in Sunderland with a child protection plan.

Inspectors noted that while increasing demand had created challenges, staff said they were well-supported, caseloads were manageable, and they benefited from training and support.

The inspectors letter added: 'Workers say that they feel well supported to carry out their role and benefit from a range of training relevant to their career pathway. Together for Children invests strongly in supporting workers in their assessed and supported year in employment (ASYE). This enhances worker skills and promotes retention.'

Ofsted noted how children's wishes and feelings are well understood by social workers who were showing warmth and empathy to children's situations and the challenges faced by parents. Plus, disabled children were having needs met by enthusiastic, committed staff and social workers skilled in communicating and understanding additional needs.

The letter added that in more serious cases 'for children who are missing or at risk of exploitation, there is strong multi-agency work which includes effective disruption activity.'

Sunderland City Council's Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Learning, Councillor Linda Williams said:

It's good to see inspectors recognising our city's services and the dedication and professionalism of staff. There's always learning points from an inspection and we take on-board all the observations for where there can be more improvements. The welfare and safety of all children and young people is always the highest priority.

Inspectors said there could be further improvements to the earlier identification of neglect and written records of supervision, case discussions and management direction.

They noted how: 'Strengthening family networks is a priority for Together for Children. When families experience challenges that impact on their children, social workers help parents to coordinate a family meeting which involves other relatives and friends. Families are encouraged to talk about the presenting issues and be part of the solution for change. For some, this is the first time that they have talked openly about their problems and heard their child's point of view. This practice promotes family resilience and helps to improve children's lives.'

Tammy Banks, Chair of the Together for Children Board, said: 

Help and plans are so important and it's often not even a service - it's a partnership on thinking and working with families and supporting them as soon as a need is identified.

It might be if there is a record of unauthorised school absences or if a child has had contact with the police, or more serious concerns, and from there we can help with a plan and partnership between all of us to prevent a problem escalating. Help and plans are there to prevent concerns from becoming bigger concerns.

Chief Executive of Together for Children, Jill Colbert OBE said:

This feedback aids us all in continuing our key and over-riding aims of supporting children and their families, keeping children safe from harm and ensuring they all have the opportunity to fulfil their potential.

In addition, these latest findings from Ofsted continue the improvement journey for Sunderland's children services since they were rated as 'inadequate' in 2015 and then 'outstanding' in 2021.

Earlier this year Ofsted rated the safeguarding of vulnerable children as 'established and highly effective' and in 2022 adoption services were rated as 'good'.

Sunderland_Focused_visit_of_local_authority_childrens_services_Oct23_0.pdf