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Wolverhampton child services 'good' – but could do better

Children's services in Wolverhampton have been judged 'good' overall – but improvements are needed when assisting vulnerable youngsters who require protection.

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Education regulator Ofsted issued the children service's department at Wolverhampton council with the first overall 'good' rating of any Black Country authority since a tougher inspection regime started in 2013.

But it found the experiences and progress of children who need help and protection fell below its standard.

Inspectors concluded there have been variations in the quality of child assessments and plans; that the level of 'critical challenge' by frontline managers is 'not consistently robust'; that some children are not getting the help and support they need quickly enough and that issues raised by children are not consistently given sufficient prominence in case files.

Council bosses said significant progress has been made and a 'robust' action plan is being introduced to further raise standards.

Councillor Val Gibson, cabinet member for children and young people, said: "While we are of course delighted to have been judged to be good overall, we will not for one moment rest on our laurels and will continue to do all we can to improve outcomes for people in Wolverhampton wherever possible."

In the recent report all areas of children's services were rated as 'good' except those covering children who need help and protection, which were rated as requiring improvement. Leadership in the department was praised as being 'strong and effective'.

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