Watchdog praises improvement in Lambeth children’s social care

Lambeth: So, it turns out that children’s social care services in Lambeth have really stepped up their game since 2022. Inspectors from Ofsted checked things out in December and were pretty impressed.

They released a report saying that the services for kids in need and those needing protection have improved a lot since the last inspection. Back then, they were rated as needing improvement, but now it’s a different story.

The inspectors noted that the leadership team has a solid plan to make things better for the kids. They praised the dedication to creating a culture of learning and growth. Councillor Ben Kind, who’s in charge of Children and Families, expressed his happiness about the positive feedback. He emphasized how crucial these services are for the vulnerable youth in the area.

He mentioned that while it’s great to hear the praise, it’s also a reminder that there’s still work to be done. The report did point out that they need to work more directly with the kids to really understand their experiences.

There are still challenges, especially with hiring qualified social workers, which has led to some staff changes. But the council is on it, and they’re determined to keep improving. It’s all about making sure they meet the needs of the community moving forward.