Public reports pack Wednesday 22-Jul-2015 19.00 Council

Page 72that the changes in management have now provided a platform for delivering improvedservices.Corporate Parenting progress in September 2014 – April 2015Ofsted inspection2.20 The Ofsted Inspection of the Council’s and Partners ability to safeguard children in needof protection, those looked after and care leavers took place in February/March 2015.This was Lambeth’s first inspection under the new single inspection framework whichbrought together into one inspection: child protection; services for looked after childrenand care leavers; and local authority fostering and adoption services. It also extendedthe length of inspection which was unannounced. There were more visits to children andyoung people placed out of borough as well as children centres. Inspectors also satdirectly with practitioners as they worked asking questions about their cases andpractice.2.21 Ofsted’s overall judgement of services was inadequate; the report noted “that there werewidespread or serious failures in the delivery of services for looked after children whichresult in their welfare not being safeguarded and promoted leaders, and managers havenot been able to demonstrate sufficient understanding of failures and have beenineffective in prioritising, challenging and making improvements in relation to looked afterchildren services. It is Ofsted’s expectation that, as a minimum, all children and youngpeople receive good help, care and protection”2.22 In response to this, Lambeth Council and our partnership agencies are working to rapidlyimprove children's services following the findings. Ofsted identified areas for “priority andimmediate action” in Lambeth, including ensuring improvements to the adoption service,reducing delays in moving children into permanent homes and collecting accurate dataand performance management information.Fostering Service2.23 As outlined in the Children Act 1989, the best place for children to be cared for is withtheir family unless this is not possible. The next best option is for children to be cared forin a similar type of environment - a family placement. Lambeth Fostering Servicecontinues to provide services to children, young people and their families. They strive toensure that children looked after have the same experiences and access the sameopportunities as their peers.2.24 As of 1st April 2015, there were 482 children looked after, with 109 children & youngpeople placed with Lambeth mainstream and connected foster carers representing22.6% of all children looked after. There were 81 children and young people placed withLambeth main stream foster carers and 28 children were placed with Connected Carers.2.25 200 Foster Carers were approved from 138 households by Lambeth. They are 158mainstream carers from 108 fostering households and 30 Connected Carers from 42Family and Friends’ households. This includes Remand Carers and carers approved forlong term placements.” Lambeth also has 44 children placed in residential settingsoutside of the Borough.6