The purpose of this report is to present cabinet with the outcome of the Inspection of Local Authority Children Services (ILACS) that took place 10-21 November 2025 and was published 12^th January 2026.

 

Councillor Powell, cabinet member for children and young people introduced the report. 

 

The Cabinet received a report outlining the outcome of the Ofsted inspection of Children’s Services, which awarded an overall judgment of Good, with all service areas rated Good and the impact of leaders on social work practice judged Outstanding. This was described as a significant achievement for Herefordshire, reflecting the work of practitioners, managers, elected members and partners in delivering the improvements set out in the Children’s Services and Partnership Improvement Plan.

 

Ofsted found that children’s services are treated as a high priority by the council and praised the visible and effective leadership of the Corporate Director, whose aspirational and child?focused approach has driven rapid improvement. The report highlighted that, at the time of her appointment in July 2024, permanent social worker levels were low (29%), and the pace of change had been a concern; permanent staffing has since risen to around 70%.

 

Key strengths identified by Ofsted included:

• A strong culture that places children at the centre of service delivery.
• Mature and effective partnership working that has improved quality and consistency.
• Successful workforce stabilisation, supported by nurturing and visible leadership.
• A comprehensive quality assurance framework enabling a clear understanding of practice and impact.
• Effective early help, well?considered assessments, and appropriate application of safeguarding thresholds.
• Skilled practitioners supporting children to remain with or return to their families where appropriate.
• A strong multi?agency response to children at risk of exploitation.
• Good support and training for foster carers, including kinship carers.
• A robust service for care leavers, supported by dedicated personal advisers.

 

Two areas for development were noted: management oversight of the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) function and identification/assessment of children in private fostering arrangements. Ofsted acknowledged that improvement plans were already in place.

 

The Cabinet Member expressed thanks to the Director of Children’s Services, the children’s workforce, partners, scrutiny members, the Chief Executive and the Leader for their contribution. Appreciation was also extended to families who provided feedback, with 85% reporting they felt able to share their views and 83% confirming the council’s intervention made a positive difference.

 

Significant improvement was also reported in financial performance: following £10.8m investment in 2024/25, the directorate delivered £2.5m savings last year, is forecast to deliver £3.9m this year, and has proposed £2.7m savings for next year. An underspend of £2.7m was also delivered, totalling £12.5m in savings and underspends over two years.

 

Comments from cabinet members:

 

It was highlighted that the Ofsted outcome demonstrates it is possible to deliver high?quality, high?value services while also achieving savings. Thanks were expressed to the Director of Children’s Services, the leadership team and the workforce for their dedication and the significant improvements delivered for children and families in Herefordshire. It was noted that the combination of strong technical grip, such as effective performance management, and a compassionate, child?centred approach had driven a remarkable turnaround. Members praised the substantial improvement in recruitment and expressed confidence that the service is now on a strong and sustained upward trajectory.

The Chair of the Children’s Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Fagan:

Welcomed the Ofsted judgement and praised the dedication of the children’s services workforce and the strong leadership of the Corporate Director.  The significant and challenging journey undertaken to reach this outcome, highlighting previous scrutiny work that challenged the pace of change, culture, and quality assurance processes were noted.

 

It was noted that scrutiny had observed clear improvements, with the service demonstrating a strong understanding of itself and the ability to track and evidence change.  It was advised that the Scrutiny Committee had not yet reviewed the Ofsted report but would do so at its next meeting. Current scrutiny work includes a task and finish group on early help and the voice of children and young people.

 

The council’s ambition to become a child?friendly county, strengthening children’s and young people’s involvement in decision?making was emphasised. While acknowledging remaining challenges, particularly in supporting young people not in education, employment or training.

 

The workforce stability and expressed confidence in continued progress toward achieving an outstanding service was welcomed.

 

Group Leaders were invited to offer their views:

 

The Liberal Democrat Group outlined their views and noted that:

Added their congratulations and recognition of all the hard work.  It was emphasised that the council must continue to listen to the voices of children, not only in relation to safeguarding, but across all aspects of their lives, and ensure that the feedback received is acted upon.

 

The Independent for Herefordshire Group outlined their views and noted:

 

Welcomed the Ofsted outcome as a positive result for children and young people in the county, noting that the improvements made have significantly changed future prospects for many families.

 

The increase in permanent workforce was highlighted as a crucial factor in creating a stable and attractive environment for practitioners. Support was expressed for the development of a new Children’s Services Business Plan, viewed as the next essential step to ensure continued progress and prevent regression once external oversight is fully withdrawn.

 

It was noted that scrutiny looks forward to reviewing the new plan and to seeing continued improvements that will benefit children growing up in Herefordshire.

 

The Green Group outlined their views and noted:

 

Welcomed the positive Ofsted judgement and acknowledged the significant progress made in Children’s Services. It was noted that substantial improvements had been achieved following a long and challenging journey, with strong leadership from the Corporate Director, supported by the Cabinet Member, scrutiny, partners and officers.

 

The pace of change was praised, with particular recognition of the rapid progress made since the Director’s appointment. It was emphasised that, while the outcome was highly positive, the improvement journey must continue, with ongoing commitment of time, effort and resources to progress towards achieving an outstanding service.

 

In responding to the comments raised, the Cabinet Members noted that:

 

The Leader expressed thanks to the Chief Executive and all involved, noting that improving Children’s Services had been set as the administration’s number one priority. The commitment shown by the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People was highlighted, praising his professionalism, experience and direct engagement with families.

 

Thanks, were also extended to the Corporate Director for Children’s Services, whose leadership was described as outstanding. It was noted that their combined efforts had galvanised staff, built confidence within teams and ensured a strong child?centred focus throughout the service. The Leader emphasised that, although further work remains, the service is now well?positioned to embed high?quality practice as the norm, with future work progressing through a Children’s Services Business Plan rather than an improvement plan.

 

The Leader of the Council concluded the discussions. Councillor Powell proposed and the Leader of the Council seconded for the decision before them which is that Cabinet:

 

Recommendations:

That:

 

a)    Cabinet note the outcome of the ILACS – Appendix A

 

b)    Cabinet authorises the Corporate Director for Children and Young People in consultation with the council’s Corporate Leadership Team and Partnership to lead the completion of the Phase 3 improvement plan and Ofsted outcome action plan, bringing this work together in a Children Services business plan for 2026/27 with future governance and monitoring in line with other council directorates.

 

The recommendations were unanimously approved.

 

It was confirmed the next meeting of cabinet was 26^th March at 2:30pm.

 

Meeting finished at: 18:00

 

<LAYOUT_SECTION>

1.FIELD_TITLE  FIELD_PAGE_RANGE

FIELD_SUMMARY

 

</LAYOUT_SECTION>

 

<TITLE_ONLY_LAYOUT_SECTION>

2.FIELD_TITLE  FIELD_PAGE_RANGE

</TITLE_ONLY_LAYOUT_SECTION>

 

<TITLED_COMMENT_LAYOUT_SECTION>

FIELD_TITLE  FIELD_PAGE_RANGE

FIELD_SUMMARY

 

</TITLED_COMMENT_LAYOUT_SECTION>

<HEADING_LAYOUT_SECTION>

FIELD_TITLE  FIELD_PAGE_RANGE

 

</HEADING_LAYOUT_SECTION>

 

<TITLE_ONLY_SUBNUMBER_LAYOUT_SECTION>

(a)FIELD_TITLE  FIELD_PAGE_RANGE

 

</TITLE_ONLY_SUBNUMBER_LAYOUT_SECTION>

<SUBNUMBER_LAYOUT_SECTION>

(b)FIELD_TITLE  FIELD_PAGE_RANGE