Key steps to make sure children are safeguarded

Ofsted have made 15 recommendations to improve children’s services in Sunderland following its latest inspection.

Key suggestions include:

Ensure that children at risk of child sexual exploitation and those that go missing have an up-todate assessment of risks that informs a comprehensive response to keep them safe.

Ensure that governance and scrutiny arrangements are rigorous and challenging and that there is an accurate understanding of the quality of practice, to enable the council to hold TfC to account and to ensure that progress is made, that children are protected, and that their experiences improve.

Improve the training and development offer for social workers and managers to ensure that all staff have the right skills and knowledge for their role.

Ensure that children’s records are kept up to date and contain clear child-focussed information.

Ensure that all assessments are appropriately updated, that they evaluate individual risk, need and the experience of children.

Ensure children who present themselves as homeless fully understand their rights to being looked after under law.

When children come into care or need an alternative home, ensure that they are provided with a placement that meets their needs and offers stability through more proactive matching.