Agenda item

The Panel noted the findings of the Ofsted visit on 14 and 15 November 2023 which focused on the Care Leavers’ Service.  An event was held to celebrate the successful visit and publication of the report, on 12 January.

The Practice Lead for the Children and Young Peoples Service, Bernadette Toomey, shared her reflections of the visit. She reported that Ofsted were impressed at the Council’s response to young people transitioning from care and they recognised that the voice of young people is not only heard but that young people have meaningful collaboration.  Quoting from the report, the Practice Lead highlighted that Ofsted found the voice of care experienced young people to be ‘central to decision making’. </AI6>Ofsted also recognised the commitment from practitioners to strive to do the best for young people to achieve their ambitions. Relationships between young people and their Young People’s Advisers were considered to be strong and trusting and Ofsted acknowledged the importance of the links with partners and the wider care community.

The quality of written supervision records was an area highlighted for further improvement and the service was addressing the issue, to ensure all supervision records represent the breadth and depth of conversations.

Luke and Billie-Leigh commented that the experience of meeting the Ofsted inspectors had shown the young people how important their views are in helping to help shape the services of the future.

They spoke of how heart-warming the celebration event had been and they thanked Lee Peacock, Participation and Engagement Officer, for arranging such a fantastic event at short notice.

Billie-Leigh also shared a touching poem with the Corporate Parenting Panel, that she wrote and performed at the event as a ‘thank you’ to the Young People’s Advisers for their belief in young people.

Service Improvement Manager, Rachel Harris, said the event felt very much like a family event and it brought people together. Luke and Billie-Leigh agreed with the positive comments and commented on how much they had enjoyed seeing the young people relaxing and enjoying themselves. The Practice Lead concluded by saying the comments bore testament to the positive report from Ofsted.

Councillor Varty expressed how proud members were to be part of such a wonderful event.