Earlier this month, we received the fantastic news our children's social care services were rated 'Outstanding' by Ofsted.
Following the publication of the report, we received a letter of congratulations from Ofsted's National Director for Regulation and Social Care. This letter was sent to Helen Lincoln, the council’s Executive Director of Children, Families, and Education.
In it, Yvette Stanley described the rating as a "magnificent achievement".
The letter of congratulations said:
“Your “outstanding” inspection outcome reflects the continued determination of yourself and your leadership team, managers and frontline staff, as well as the wider council and your safeguarding partners. You should all be proud of the positive difference you have made for the children and families of Essex. It was lovely to read that “Children’s needs are at the heart of decision-making and the whole workforce is unrelenting in its commitment, passion and determination to achieve even better progress for children.”
“We know that you continue to have high ambitions for your children and services, and that you will be working hard to address the areas for improvement. Please pass on my congratulations to all the colleagues in Essex have contributed to this achievement, as well as extending my personal thanks to all the staff, children, foster carers and wider stakeholders who participated in the inspection process.
“I know that this outcome will not diminish your ambition for or culture of embracing improvement in services and outcomes for children, and I extend my very best wishes for the next phases of your continuous improvement journey.”
Councillor Beverley Egan, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Early Years, said:
“We are thrilled to have achieved an ‘Outstanding’ rating for our children’s social care services once again and this letter is brilliant recognition of our commitment to deliver the best possible outcomes for vulnerable young people in Essex.
“I would once again like to thank everyone working in children’s social care in Essex, as well as our partners, for the part they have played in achieving in this rating. We could not have done it without all their efforts.”
Read more about the Ofsted inspection and see the full report.