Other · Ofsted letter
Setting
Summary
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- Postcode verified
BR1 3UH
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Reads more critically than most reports of this type.
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Strengths
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No standout praise found.
Concerns
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- Police referrals concerning children at risk as a result of domestic abuse are detailed and child-focused, which ensures these children are safeguarded well. p.2
- Extensive and effective action has been taken to address the recommendations from a serious case review undertaken in 2008 that identified significant individual and systemic weaknesses in the Referral and Assessment Team West. p.1
Next steps
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- Children are not left at risk but the joint response is not always effectively co- ordinated. Although children and families are seen promptly, the inspection found some delay in recording initial assessments. The method of calculating timely completion of initial assessments is not reliable and does not accord with national requirements. p.2
- Heather Brown Divisional Manager, Social Care Safeguarding p.3
- Copy: Doug Patterson, Chief Executive, London Borough of Bromley Gillian Pearson, Chair of Bromley Safeguarding Children Board Ernest Noad, Lead Member for Children’s Services, London Borough of Bromley John Browning, Department for Children, Schools and Families p.3
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Anatomy of the report
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- Pages
- 3
- Words of findings
- 583
- shorter than usual (typical 963)
- Reading level
- Very hard
- Flesch 25, typical 48
- Average sentence
- 24 words
- Next steps
- 3
- typical 2
- Hedged sentences
- 17%
- “some”, “not always”, “most”…
Where the words go
Full report text
Alexandra House 33 Kingsway London WC2B 6SE T 08456 40 40 40 enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk www.ofsted.gov.uk Direct T 020-7421-6666 Direct F 020-7421-6746 sue.leaver@ofsted.gov.uk
p.1
Ms Gillian Pearson Director of Children and Young People Services London Borough of Bromley Civic Centre Stockwell Close Bromley BR1 3UH
p.1
Bromley children’s services
This letter contains the findings of the recent unannounced inspection of contact, referral and assessment arrangements within local authority children’s services in the London Borough of Bromley which was conducted on 24 and 25 June 2009. The inspection was carried out under section 138 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006. It will contribute to Ofsted’s annual review of the performance of the authority’s children’s services, for which Ofsted will award a rating later in the year.
p.1
Bromley children’s services
The inspection identified no areas for priority action but a significant number of areas for development, which are detailed below.
p.1
Bromley children’s services
The inspection sampled the quality and effectiveness of contact, referral and assessment arrangements and their impact on minimising the incidence of child abuse and neglect. Inspectors considered a range of evidence, including: electronic case records; supervision files and notes; observation of social workers and senior practitioners undertaking referral and assessment duties; and other information provided by staff and managers. Inspectors also spoke to a range of staff including managers, social workers, other practitioners and administrative staff. I am grateful to you and your staff for your help and the time given during this inspection.
p.1
Bromley children’s services
From the evidence gathered, the inspection identified a number of areas where the referral, assessment and contact services were satisfactorily carrying out their responsibilities in accordance with national guidance, in particular:
p.1
Bromley children’s services
Safeguarding arrangements are well-established.
p.1
Bromley children’s services
Extensive and effective action has been taken to address the recommendations from a serious case review undertaken in 2008 that identified significant individual and systemic weaknesses in the Referral and Assessment Team West. This has resulted in much improved arrangements to safeguard children.
p.1
Bromley children’s services
All referrals are reviewed by managers and timely action is taken to ensure children’s safety and well-being.
p.2
Bromley children’s services
Management decision-making is sound, with clear evidence of management oversight of cases that ensures plans are in place which deliver improved outcomes for children.
p.2
Bromley children’s services
All the assessments seen by inspectors were at least satisfactory and some were good.
p.2
Bromley children’s services
Police referrals concerning children at risk as a result of domestic abuse are detailed and child-focused, which ensures these children are safeguarded well.
p.2
Bromley children’s services
From the evidence gathered, the following strengths and areas for development were also identified:
p.2
Strengths
Children are seen promptly and their views are sought appropriately. The local strategic partnership and the local authority have prioritised safeguarding arrangements and have made additional resources available in response to the Laming Review. Good management action has addressed difficulties in recruitment and ensured that a high proportion of social work posts are filled by permanent staff. Good quality assurance arrangements support regular review of decision- making for children.
p.2
Areas for development
There has been a high turnover of Deputy Group Managers and some posts are filled by locum staff. As a consequence, supervision arrangements for some front-line staff are not well established and staff development needs are not well recorded or monitored. Detailed performance management information is not readily available to managers. Partner agencies are not routinely informed about the progress of individual referrals. The police response to child protection concerns is not always timely. Children are not left at risk but the joint response is not always effectively co- ordinated. Although children and families are seen promptly, the inspection found some delay in recording initial assessments. The method of calculating timely completion of initial assessments is not reliable and does not accord with national requirements.
p.2
Areas for development
Heather Brown Divisional Manager, Social Care Safeguarding
p.3
Areas for development
Copy: Doug Patterson, Chief Executive, London Borough of Bromley Gillian Pearson, Chair of Bromley Safeguarding Children Board Ernest Noad, Lead Member for Children’s Services, London Borough of Bromley John Browning, Department for Children, Schools and Families
p.3
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