Setting

Ms Ann Baxter Director of Children, Schools and Families London Borough of Camden Crowndale Centre 218-220 Eversholt Road London NW1 1BD

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 excellently (4)

Children’s services in the London Borough of Camden perform excellently.

p.2

Children’s services rating Performs excellently (4)

A greater than average proportion of nursery, primary and sixth form schools is good or outstanding. However, secondary school provision is mostly satisfactory, although no secondary schools are inadequate and four of the nine secondary schools are good or better. Provision for children and young people whose circumstances make them vulnerable is at least good in all of the six special schools and the three pupil referral units. The fostering agency is outstanding. The joint area review in 2008 judged services for safeguarding and looked after children as outstanding.

p.2

Children’s services rating Performs excellently (4)

A very large majority of national indicators, including those for staying safe and enjoying and achieving, are in line with or above similar areas and national figures. In most aspects the difference in the performance of children and young people whose circumstances make them vulnerable is smaller than the national average. Good progress is being made in narrowing the achievement gap for pupils in receipt of free school meals at both Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 4, and at Key Stage 2 the attainment of minority ethnic groups is good and improving.

p.2

Children’s services rating Performs excellently (4)

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 excellently (4)

Juliet Winstanley Divisional Manager, CAA

p.2