City adoption services now good

The best performing area of the service was in adoption, where work was now judged to be good having previously been classed as inadequate. The report said “substantial progress” had been made in this area and praised the work of a “very committed and stable tea.” It also highlighted work done with prospective adopters to help them develop the skills required to take on youngsters and the work done to ensure children are matched with the most suitable adopters. The adoption panel chair was also described as “highly experienced” with the panels also providing an extra level of scrutiny when considering potential adoptive parents and matching children with adopters.

The report said that when it came to the experiences and progress of children looked after and achieving permanance, this area still required improvement before it could be rated as good.

It highlighted lower caseloads and improved workforce stability which allowed youngsters to develop better working relationships with their social workers. It also noted that “a stronger emphasis is placed on children living with extended family and friends if it is safe to do so.”

Also still rated as ‘requires improvement’ was the experience and progress of care leavers.

Inspectors noted that youngsters were better supportedbut said too many care leavers aged 18-21 were NEET (not in Education, Employment or Training). Of 173 care leavers, 72 are NEET and 30 of those are currently unable to get training or jobs because of medical reasons or parenthood.