Setting

Mr Cliff Turner Director for Learning and Care (Children's Services) Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Town Hall St Ives Road Maidenhead Berkshire SL6 1RF

p.1

Children’s services annual rating

Ofsted guidance published in May 2009 explained that the annual rating would derive from a new performance profile of the quality of services and outcomes for children and young people in each local area. This profile includes findings from across Ofsted’s inspection and regulation of services and settings for which the council has strategic or operational responsibilities, either alone or in partnership with others, together with data from the relevant Every Child Matters indicators in the new National Indicator Set (NIS).

p.1

Children’s services annual rating

In considering the evidence in the profile to determine the children’s services rating for 2009 it has become clear that the continuing gaps in the data are significant, particularly those relating to aspects of social care and services for Looked After Children. Ofsted has decided therefore to use 2009 as a transitional year easing into the full application of the new system in 2010. As a consequence, although the performance profile remains central to Ofsted’s rating, we have interpreted the performance bands with flexibility and exercised professional judgement with caution.

p.1

Children’s services annual rating

The annual rating derives from a four point scale:

p.1

Children’s services annual rating

4 Performs excellently An organisation that significantly exceeds minimum requirements 3 Performs well An organisation that exceeds minimum requirements 2 Performs adequately An organisation that meets only minimum requirements 1 Performs poorly An organisation that does not meet minimum requirements

p.1

Children’s services annual rating

Within each level there will be differing standards of provision. For example, a rating of ‘performs excellently’ does not mean all aspects of provision are perfect. Similarly, a rating of ‘performs poorly’ does not mean there are no adequate or even good aspects. Aviation House 125 Kingsway London WC2B 6SE T 08456 40 40 40 enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk www.ofsted.gov.uk Direct T 020-7421-6716 Direct F 020-7421-5715 juliet.winstanley@ofsted.gov.uk

p.1

Children’s services rating Performs well (3)

Children’s services in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead perform well.

p.2

Children’s services rating Performs well (3)

The overall effectiveness of the large majority of inspected services and settings is good or better. Children make a good start in life; provision for childminding, nurseries and primary schools where the proportion of good or better provision is above similar areas and the national average. Most childcare is also good but the proportion is below the average found in similar areas and nationally. Performance of the local authority’s fostering service is outstanding and the adoption service is good. Private fostering arrangements are also good. However, the picture in other services and settings is mixed. While no secondary schools are inadequate, eight of the 13 schools are only satisfactory. This compares poorly with the average for similar areas and England overall. Both pupil referral units are good, but the special school is only satisfactory. Post-16 provision is mixed with mostly good provision in school sixth

p.2

Children’s services rating Performs well (3)

Performance against the very large majority of national indicators, including those for staying safe and enjoying and achieving, is above or in line with the average for similar areas and the national figures. Most children and young people enjoy good health and do well in their education. However, the difference in performance between the majority and children and young people whose circumstances make them vulnerable is still too wide. The gap is closing rapidly in some areas but the picture is inconsistent for different groups of children and young people.

p.2

Children’s services rating Performs well (3)

The children’s services rating is provided for the purpose of section 138 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006. The rating of local authority children’s services will contribute significantly to the managing performance theme of each local authority’s Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA) organisational assessment and therefore to the score for each local authority overall.

p.2

Children’s services rating Performs well (3)

Juliet Winstanley Divisional Manager, CAA

p.2