This latest inspection looked at the local authority’s arrangements for its care leavers, including a focus on the quality of support for young people as they move into adulthood and the overall support that it provides to its vulnerable, care experienced young people.
During this latest inspection Ofsted has found that the quality and consistency of services for care-experienced young people have been strengthened and improved. They highlighted that young people receive timely support as they move from care into adulthood and that they benefit greatly from the early allocation of a personal adviser to help support them at this milestone in their lives.
Other areas of good practice highlighted by Ofsted include;
• Developed a culture of ‘always here’ for the young people in its care.
• Strengthened its keep-in-touch arrangements for young people, even those aged over 21.
• Support for the health and emotional well-being needs of most care-experienced young people – saying they are carefully considered, and that there is a better understanding of their health histories as a direct result of supportive relationships with their Personal Advisers.
• Through their Personal Advisers young people are aware of what is available to them so that they clearly understand their rights and entitlements.
• Young people receive the support they need to help them live independently - when the time is right for them.
• Many young people benefit from the continuity of their independent reviewing officers remaining involved in their lives beyond 18 years of age and often well into adulthood
• An approach that ensures that the councils corporate parenting responsibilities are well understood
• The council’s commitment to launching and creating a child-friendly community in Westmorland and Furness.
Commenting on the report Cllr Janet Battye Cabinet Member for Children's Services said:
“Since the creation of Westmorland and Furness Council this service has gone from strength to strength – providing clear and effective leadership and an approach that truly places children at the heart of what we do. The team demonstrate real commitment to listening, prioritising young people’s voices, and creating a culture where young people influence and shape our improvement and development journey. I also want to acknowledge the important role that our elected members play in their ‘corporate parenting’ role, for children in our care, and that we must ensure, as we would with our own children, that they get off to a good start in their adult lives. Our responsibilities to our care leavers has to be a high priority and that was recognised in this recent focussed visit by Ofsted. There is always more than we can do, and we will be following Ofsted’s advice on that.”
Mil Vasic, Director of Children’s Services added
“We are delighted with the progress highlighted by Ofsted, which reflects the dedication and professionalism of our staff. Their commitment to building trusted relationships and providing high-quality support ensures that care-experienced young people feel listened to, valued, and ambitious for their futures is very much reflected in this report. The report also confirms that, as a Council working closely with our partners, we are making a real difference to young people and our ambition to create a truly child-friendly community, where every young person has the opportunity to thrive, remains at the heart of everything we do.”
The report can be seen here on OFSTED website: Westmorland and Furness Council - Open - Find an Inspection Report - Ofsted
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