City children's services rated outstanding overall

Children's services in Coventry have been upgraded to "outstanding" overall, four years after being rated as good.

Ofsted inspectors said the services, provided by Coventry City Council, put the vast majority of children who required care into "loving stable homes that meet their needs".

The report, published on Monday, follows a two-week inspection in March and rated the service outstanding in four areas and "good" in one area.

The council was told it still needs to improve the consistency, quality and impact of supervision and planning for children who were in need of help and protection. It responded that its hard work was continuing.

The report also comes 12 years after the authority was rated as "inadequate".

The inadequate rating in 2014 followed the death of Daniel Pelka, four. His death saw the council criticised for a lack of robust management and not seeing vulnerable children fast enough.

Council leader George Duggins said the turnaround was no easy feat.

"We knew we had to make great changes and that it would be a long journey, and to have come this far in 12 years is testament to the work of all involved," he said.

"Now the work continues, and we renew our vow to the children, young people and families of the city, that Coventry will be a safe, loving and caring home for them."

In the latest report, the service was judged "outstanding" for the experiences and progress of children in care and of care leavers; the impact of leaders on social work practice with children and families, as well its overall effectiveness.

The experiences and progress of children who need help and protection was judged as good.

"Impressive, outward-looking leaders have demonstrated an unwavering ambition and commitment to children in Coventry," the report said.

"They have continued to strengthen the quality and impact of services, despite considerable external challenges of the number of children living in poverty and a significant rise in demand for services".

Inspectors also highlighted the authority's work with unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, who it said were "highly-valued" by the services.

Sukriti Sen, director of children's and education services, said the findings reflected the determination of everyone involved to put the welfare of children, young people and families "at the heart of all we do".

She added: "We are proud to be a child-friendly city and we work closely with our partners, communities and families to give our children and young people a voice and to ensure that they are heard."

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