Decision details

The Director of Children and Families submitted a report which presented the findings of the recent OfSTED inspection of Children’s Services in Leeds.

With the agreement of the Chair, the submitted report had been circulated to Board Members as a late item of business prior to the meeting for the reasons as set out within Minute No. 118.

The Board welcomed the outcomes of the Ofsted Inspection, which had rated the overall effectiveness of the service as being ‘Outstanding’, and thanked Members for their continued cross-party support in this area and for their role as corporate parents. Also, the Board paid tribute to officers, partners and all other parties for their dedication and contribution towards this significant achievement.

As part of the discussion, Members highlighted the commitment in Leeds which aimed to ensure that the needs of children, young people and families were at the heart of the actions it took, emphasised the importance of early support with a view to preventing the need for more intensive interventions, and reiterated how the ambitious approach towards improvement in this area would continue.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That, in noting the contents of the submitted report, the Board’s appreciation and thanks be formally placed on record for the following:-

(i)  Front line staff and managers whose often challenging day to day work has made such a difference to the lives of children and families in Leeds;

(ii)  Elected Members across all parties and senior officers of the Council who have prioritised children and led the change;

(iii)  The support of individuals, third sector partners, businesses and communities across the city who have supported this work through the Child Friendly Leeds initiative.

(b)  That Ofsted’s recognition that decisions made to invest in early help, prevention and workforce development have significantly contributed to this judgement, be noted;

(c)  That the Board’s continuing support for the ongoing improvement of Children’s Services in the city be confirmed, as the Council seeks to ensure that Leeds is the best city for children to grow up in.