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City's children's services improve from inadequate to good

Claire HamiltonPolitical Reporter Merseyside , Liverpool
News imageBBC/Claire Hamilton Two women stand smiling against a backdrop of a large poster covered in writing. On the left is a woman with short grey hair and on the right a woman with long brown hair and glasses. The poster details the improvement journey the city council has been on with their children's services. BBC/Claire Hamilton
Director of children's services Jenny Glennard and cabinet member for children's services Liz Parsons

Council-run services for children in Liverpool have significantly improved three years after a damning report.

The city council has been monitored by education watchdog Ofsted ever since an inspection in 2023 in which services were rated "inadequate". They have now been upgraded to "good" in three out of four areas, following a new inspection.

The council's director of children's services Jenny Glennard said the improved rating "reflects a shift towards truly listening to children and young people".

However, Ofsted said the experiences and progress of young people leaving the care system still required improvement.

Cabinet member for children's services Liz Parsons said the inadequate rating had been "tough to hear" three years ago, but she felt it had been "a fair judgement" and admitted "we didn't have basics in place".

Glennard said retention, training and recruitment of social workers at been key.

Ofsted said there had been "significant financial investment" in children's services in the city. However, inspectors said there were areas where the authority needed to improve, including "the response to homeless children and the quality and impact of pathway plans for care leavers".

News imageBBC/Claire Hamilton A woman with short grey hair smiles as she looks directly at the camera. She is pictured in front of a brightly coloured cartoon of the Liver Building. BBC/Claire Hamilton
Jenny Glennard, director of children's services Liverpool city council

The report highlighted that a very small number of children live in unregistered children's homes for short periods. The BBC understands the number is fewer than five from a total of around 1,300 in the care system.

Council leader Liam Robinson said he was "deeply concerned" about the use of unregistered provision and the authority was "lobbying the government for stronger legislation, more enforcement powers and increased provider capacity".

Parsons said a planned care leavers hub had been delayed in opening due to lease agreements on a suitable city centre property taking longer than planned. It will be a one stop shop where young people leaving care can access advice about things like jobs and housing.

Opposition politicians in the city have welcomed the improvements.

Leader of the Your Party group Alan Gibbons said: "It is good to see that there is recovery from that low point, but the continuing failure of care leavers is serious. We have to meet the needs of our most vulnerable children."

News imageBBC/Claire Hamilton A woman with long brown hair and glasses stands, wearing a v-neck top stands in front of a giant poster featuring a brightly coloured cartoon of Liverpool's skyline. BBC/Claire Hamilton
Cabinet member for children's services Liz Parsons

Liberal Democrat Carl Cashman said: "Getting back to 'good' is welcome, not a victory lap.

"I'm really disappointed that we aren't delivering the best outcomes we can for care leavers.

"The promised hub and a safe space for young people in care to build friendships with others who understand their experience hasn't been delivered, and that's not good enough.

"I will be writing to the cabinet member asking them to provide a timeline and firm delivery date, rather than more vague assurances."

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