Liverpool City Council's Children’s Services have shown significant improvement, according to the latest monitoring visit by Ofsted. This marks the sixth and final monitoring visit since the last full inspection in 2023, with inspectors noting better quality and impact in key areas.
Key Takeaways
- Ofsted's final monitoring visit highlights significant progress in Children’s Services.
- Improvements noted in contact response, child protection, and assessments.
- Social workers report reduced caseloads and positive work environment.
- Some areas, like domestic abuse response, still require further consistency.
- A full Ofsted inspection is expected next year.
Improvements Across Key Areas
The Ofsted visit, conducted in September 2025, focused on several critical functions. These included the council’s handling of contacts and referrals, child protection enquiries, and child and family assessments. Inspectors also reviewed the Designated Officer for the Local Authority (LADO).
The report indicates a marked improvement in these areas since the previous inspection in May 2023. Work to streamline processes and reduce workloads has been effective. This has led to fewer delays and a better application of thresholds for working with children.
“Work to streamline processes, reduce workloads, and develop partner engagement has led to a reduction in delays and an improvement in the application of thresholds for working with children.”
Strategy decisions made after a referral are now described as proportionate and appropriate for child protection. Child protection enquiries are completed promptly, considering a wide range of partnership information. The overall quality of assessments has also significantly improved.
Fact Check
This was the 6th and final monitoring visit by Ofsted since the last full inspection of Liverpool Children's Services in 2023. Monitoring visits do not receive a grade, unlike full inspections.
Social Worker Experiences and Morale Boost
Social workers within Liverpool City Council have reported positive changes over the last two years. They highlighted improved processes that support their work. Reduced caseloads mean they can spend more time on quality work with families.
Many social workers expressed positive feelings about working in Liverpool. They feel safe and settled in their roles and are proud to contribute to the city's services. This improved morale is a key factor in the reported progress.
Addressing Remaining Challenges
Despite the overall positive findings, the Ofsted report also identified areas needing further improvement. Consistency in the quality of assessments remains a challenge. The response to domestic abuse incidents also requires more consistent attention.
However, Ofsted noted that leaders are fully aware of these issues. Plans to address these specific areas are already in motion. This proactive approach demonstrates a commitment to ongoing improvement.
Background on Ofsted Visits
Ofsted conducts monitoring visits to evaluate progress in specific areas between full inspections. These visits help councils identify strengths and weaknesses. They provide an opportunity for services to show continuous improvement.
Council's Vision for Outstanding Services
Councillor Liz Parsons, Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Services, expressed satisfaction with the progress. She acknowledged that the journey to improvement takes time but believes the council is on track to achieve outstanding service.
“This is our sixth and final monitoring visit, and I’m pleased to say the report highlights the significant progress we have made over the last two years. While some areas require further improvement, inspectors can see that we’re aware of those issues and have established plans to continue our improvement journey.”
Councillor Parsons also thanked the staff for their hard work, which she believes makes a positive difference daily. She emphasized the ambition to become a UNICEF Child Friendly City, prioritizing young people in decision-making.
Jenny Glennard, Corporate Director of Children and Young People’s Services, echoed this sentiment. She highlighted the determination to create conditions for social work to thrive. She noted that improved outcomes are being experienced by children and families using their services.
Recruitment and Future Plans
Staff retention has significantly improved over the past 12 months. Experienced social workers are returning to work for the council, recognizing the progress made. The council plans to recruit more experienced social workers as part of its ongoing improvement strategy.
Liverpool City Council expects another full Ofsted inspection sometime next year. The focus remains on continuous improvement to offer consistently good services to an increasing number of children and families. The goal is to achieve an 'outstanding' rating in the next full inspection.
Looking Ahead
Liverpool City Council is actively recruiting experienced social workers to further strengthen its Children's Services. They aim to achieve an 'outstanding' rating in their next full Ofsted inspection.