Our Children’s services are rated Good by Ofsted
Following an Ofsted inspection in September 2023 we were rated Good and received the following feedback:
- A stable and determined children’s senior leadership team is supported by elected members who have continued to invest in children’s services, with a shared ethos of improving outcomes for Bolton’s vulnerable children and children in care
- Children’s voices are central in planning
- Partnership support is strong, facilitating timely and appropriate information-sharing.
- Effective work is carried out with children and their families, involving their wider family network in building resilience to reduce concern.
- Children’s participation is a strength in Bolton. Children in care groups have a strong influence on shaping services in Bolton and have regular and meaningful access to senior managers and politicians.
- Care leavers are well supported by the local authority into adulthood
- Children’s services continue to benefit from strong support from political leaders. The chief executive and elected members have high aspirations for children, understanding the priorities for children and their responsibilities within the wider partnerships. These aspirations have been backed by ongoing financial investment, albeit in a challenging financial climate.
- Children benefit from a cohesive and collaborative approach with partners
- The local authority has continued to provide good-quality services for children in care and care leavers. In a challenging environment, many service areas have been sustained or improved.
- Senior leaders are committed to ensuring that children’s voices are heard and use their experiences to shape services. Leaders actively seek opportunities to create positive experiences for children and young people.
- The director of children’s services (DCS) is a passionate and committed leader, who advocates strongly for children, with an impressive knowledge of their individual experiences. They have continued to provide strong leadership throughout a period of change, with an unrelenting focus on service delivery and the needs of children.
- Senior leaders welcome scrutiny and challenge from external partners providing them with the opportunity to reflect on current service delivery and make improvements to frontline practice. Leaders have a clear line of sight on children through a range of management activities. This enables them to have a detailed understanding of children’s experiences on an individual level.
- Social workers are well supported and say they feel valued. Senior managers are described as being accessible and supportive. Social workers describe a culture of regular and reflective supervision