Haringey Council’s children services rated ‘good’ by Ofsted

It really is a watershed moment for our great borough.

As cabinet member for Children, Schools and Families I felt incredibly proud as I read the report.

I recognised the services as they were described as I have witnessed the great improvements made over the last few years. The report is testament to the incredible hard work and professionalism shown by everyone who has played their part.

The final paragraph of the report paid genuine tribute to the workforce and senior leadership team summing up the challenges faced over the years, and the commitment to make change.

Cllr Zena Brabazon is proud of the work that children services has done to improve (Image: Haringey Council)

I’m proud of the turnaround achieved in a challenging environment and the positive difference we are making for the children and young people who are in our care and for whom we are corporate parents.

The inspection is an official acknowledgement and recognition that significant improvement has taken place within our children’s services, with our early help provision and support for children in need of help and protection noted as an area of particular progress.

Supporting the director and her team has been vital, and recognition of strong political leadership by the Ofsted inspectors was greatly appreciated as our administration has rightly placed children’s services our youth provision at the heart of what we do.

We have invested an additional £6 million in children’s social care in this current financial year, ensuring staff can concentrate on the services they need to provide.

This ‘good’ rating is external validation that the hard work and professionalism of council colleagues, practitioners, professionals and providers is paying off where it matters most – investing in children and young people - that they are having a positive impact on youngsters’ lives in Haringey.

It tells us that we’re heading in the right direction, as we aim for excellence and an ‘outstanding’ grading.

We are not complacent – we must continue to develop our provision for children in care with a programme of further service improvements already underway.

It means working closely with many partners including health, to ensure the children in care and our care leavers continue to achieve the best possible outcomes.

Looking after children is a huge responsibility for us. The inspection recognises the massive progress made in Haringey, sets out a pathway for further improvement and we will continue to do everything in our power to give our young people the best possible start in life.

Cllr Zena Brabazon is Haringey Council cabinet member for Children, Schools and Families