Children's services significantly improved - Ofsted

A trust that delivers children's services for two local authorities has "significantly improved" since its last inspection in 2022, a regulator has said.

Ofsted inspected Northamptonshire Children's Trust, which delivers care on behalf of West and North Northamptonshire Council, between 11 and 22 May.

The trust was graded "good" across three areas, including help and protection, children in care and care leavers, and it was rated outstanding in its leadership.

Colin Foster, the trust's chief executive, said: "This shows how well my colleagues in Northamptonshire Children's Trust along with West and North Northamptonshire Councils are making a difference to the lives of children."

In the report to North Northamptonshire Council, Ofsted inspectors said the trust's "outstanding leadership has had a transformational impact on workforce stability and has developed a relational culture that has resulted in significantly improved circumstances for children and families".

In its report to West Northamptonshire Council the inspectors said: "Exemplary leadership has created a highly positive workplace culture and has set the standards for workers and managers, always with children at the heart of what they do."

The trust was set up in November 2020 after the children's services run by the former Northamptonshire County Council were rated inadequate.

It had its first full inspection in 2022, where it was rated as "requires improvement to be good" in the four areas in which it was assessed.

Mark Arnull, the leader of West Northamptonshire Council, said: "It is such a significant piece and positive news for children and families in West Northamptonshire, we are delighted with the outcome and it reflects the hard work and significant development we've done over a sustained period to get a result like this."

Elizabeth Wright, the executive member for children, education and families at North Northamptonshire Council, said: "Everyone has worked hard, it's been such a long journey to get here.

"The overwhelming feedback is that the children and young people have seen such improvements, this is now the starting point of a really exciting journey for what we can do for our children and young people in care."

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