While Ofsted still has concerns about some of Devon County Council’s children’s services, inspectors said a new executive team ‘brought much-needed stability and a sharper service on improvement plans’.
The ‘front door’, which responds to contacts about children who may be at risk, in need or require early help, now provides an effective response to most children and families, the report says. Personal advisers are committed to their care leavers and know them well, and staff feedback was mostly positive.
While the services continue to be graded ‘inadequate’ in September, a return visit in January noted that further improvements had been made at pace.
Council Chief Executive Donna Manson said:
“I wish to thank staff and our partners for all that they are doing every day to improve our children’s services. We have much to do but we must also recognise that progress is being made.
“Our ethos is that children and young people must be in our hearts, in our minds and in our sight. We will focus all our energies on continuing to work on our improvement journey, and improve outcomes for families.”
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