Education watchdog Ofsted issues report following Enfield children’s services inspection

Charles Babbage House in Melling Drive is home to Enfield Council’s children’s services — *Charles Babbage House, home to Enfield Council’s children’s services*

An inspection of Enfield Council’s children’s services by education watchdog Ofsted has found that care leavers are “well supported” by social workers in the borough.

The focused inspection, which looked specifically at how well the council was looking after young people who had recently left the borough’s care system, found that the “vast majority” are getting support consistent with their needs.

Last month’s inspection also found care leavers live in “stable and safe” accommodation and have access to the help they need. There was a focus on ensuring people leaving care were helped to develop key skills so they could live independently and successfully on their own.

The council is also effective at ensuring care leavers have access to employment and training opportunities and ensuring their emotional and physical needs are met in a creative and innovative way, according to Ofsted.

In a letter to the council last week, inspector Andy Whippey said: “The physical and emotional needs of care leavers are well met by a creative and innovative multi-agency team of professionals.”

Andy said that risks to care leavers are “clearly identified and well understood, including risks from exploitation and domestic abuse,” although he added that “in a small minority of risk assessments, the measures identified to reduce risk are insufficiently articulated”.

Overall, the inspector concluded: “As a corporate parent, the local authority shows ambition and determination to secure the best outcomes for care leavers.”

Abdul Abdullahi, the council’s cabinet member for children’s services, said: “Enfield Council is ambitious and determined to ensure children and young people in its care achieve the best possible outcomes in life.

“We are committed to help these children and young people thrive by giving them the skills and opportunities they need to thrive in the world and we are working tirelessly to ensure they can achieve their aspirations.

“I am delighted with the result of the Ofsted inspection which reflects the hard work and dedication of our committed staff.”

The full report from Ofsted can be read online:
Visit ofsted.gov.uk

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