Setting

Mrs Marion Davis Strategic Director of Children, Young People and Families Warwickshire County Council Saltisford Office Park Ansell Way Warwick Warwickshire CV34 4UL

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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).

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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.

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Children’s services annual rating

The annual rating derives from a four point scale:

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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

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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

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Children’s services rating Performs well (3)

Children’s services in Warwickshire County Council perform well.

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Children’s services rating Performs well (3)

The overall effectiveness of the large majority of inspected and regulated services and settings in Warwickshire is good. Children receive a good start in their care and education through effective early years provision. However, provision in primary and secondary schools is variable. While very few schools are judged to be inadequate, only half are judged to be good or better; this is below similar areas and that found nationally. Provision in school sixth forms and further education settings is good or better than in similar areas. Judgements for staying safe and enjoying and achieving are broadly in line with similar areas and the national picture.

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Children’s services rating Performs well (3)

The quality of education and care provision for children and young people whose circumstances make them vulnerable is adequate overall. Provision in two thirds of special schools is good or better and that in the pupil referral unit is satisfactory. The local authority fostering service was judged as outstanding in its most recent inspection.

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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 in line or better than in similar areas and nationally. The gap in achievement between those children and young people whose circumstances make them vulnerable and their peers is in line with similar areas and the gap nationally for children in the early years and at ages 11 and 16, though less positive for those young people over the age of 16.

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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.

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Children’s services rating Performs well (3)

Juliet Winstanley Divisional Manager, CAA

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