Islington Council’s Children’s Services have earned an ‘Outstanding’ rating from Ofsted for the second consecutive time, cementing its place as one of London’s best.
Islington Council’s Children’s Services have once again been awarded an ‘Outstanding’ rating by Ofsted, securing their place as one of the top performers in London. This is the second time in a row the borough has received this prestigious recognition, a testament to the relentless commitment of its staff to providing exceptional care, protection, and support for children and families.
The council’s Children’s Services are now among only four London boroughs to have achieved the highest rating under the current Ofsted inspection framework for both Children’s Services and Youth Justice Service. This achievement is a significant milestone in the borough’s mission to create a child-friendly environment where every young person has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Ofsted’s inspection focused on several key areas, including the experiences and progress of children who need help and protection, those in care, those who have left care, and the impact of leadership on social work practice. The findings were overwhelmingly positive, with the council receiving ‘Outstanding’ ratings in all four focus areas.
Cllr Michelline Safi-Ngongo, Islington’s Executive Member for Children, Young People and Families, expressed her pride in the result. “Ofsted’s findings are a ringing endorsement of our relentless efforts to put children first, creating a child-friendly borough that ensures they can thrive and reach their full potential, whatever their background or ability,” she said. “As the inspectors found, this mindset runs through the entire Children’s Services team, the council and beyond. I’m incredibly proud of the dedication shown by everyone to consistently give our children and families the high-quality support they need.”
The Ofsted inspection report highlighted several key strengths of Islington’s Children’s Services, including:
Wide Range of Early Help Services: Islington offers an exceptionally wide range of early help services and support that make a tangible difference to children’s and families’ lives.
Effective Social Work: Social workers are able to manage their caseloads effectively, ensuring that children receive the right help at the right time. Their recommendations are well articulated, resulting in positive outcomes for children.
Support for At-Risk Children: The council provides comprehensive and well-coordinated support for children at risk of exploitation or those who go missing. This approach has proven highly effective in reducing risks and improving children’s safety.
Outstanding Care for Children: Children in care are given an exceptionally high level of support, with a focus on addressing trauma, mental health issues, and substance misuse. Most children in care make very significant progress under this care model.
Exceptional Support for Care Leavers: Care leavers receive exceptional support from skilled and caring personal advisers. Programmes such as the House project and Next Steps have made a significant impact on young people’s ability to live independently and successfully transition into adulthood.
Training and Opportunities for Care Leavers: In addition to the support, training and work opportunities have been provided to care leavers. So far, 10 care leavers have taken apprenticeships with the council, a testament to the borough’s commitment to helping young people build brighter futures.
Lead inspector Sarah Canto praised the efforts of Islington’s Children’s Services, noting that children benefit from developing trusting relationships with practitioners who offer consistent support to help them reach their potential. “Children benefit from being able to develop trusting relationships with practitioners whose consistent approach, support, and time to help children reach their potential are transforming children’s lives,” she said.
The Ofsted report also commended the significant progress made in several areas since the last inspection in 2020, including enhanced mental health support and improved responses to children who are missing or at risk of exploitation.
Yvette Stanley, Ofsted’s National Director of Regulation and Social Care, called the result “a magnificent achievement” and praised the continued determination of everyone at Islington Council. “You should all be proud of the sustained positive difference you have made for the children and families of Islington,” she said.
The ‘Outstanding’ rating follows the exceptional inspection result for Islington’s Youth Justice Service, which scored 34 out of 36, the best result in London and the third-highest in England and Wales. This places Islington among the only four boroughs in London to be rated ‘Outstanding’ for both services, a rare and commendable distinction.
