Norfolk: Safeguarding Services 'Inadequate'

22 February 2013, 14:09 | Updated: 22 February 2013, 14:18

Norfolk County Council's safeguarding services team has ruled inadequate by the inspectors.

The team are in charge of looking after children and families who are 'at-risk' in the county.

Norfolk County Council have released a statement to Heart: "Norfolk County Council is taking immediate action to improve its safeguarding services in the county following a judgement of “inadequate” from Ofsted.

The County Council is stepping up the pace of improvement following the Ofsted inspection of its arrangements for the protection of children that highlighted some examples of very positive practice, but offered an overall judgement of “inadequate”."

Lisa Christensen, Director of Children’s Services at the County Council, said: “This is not good enough for Norfolk children and families, and we are determined to do more, and faster to improve our service.

“Our prime concern is, and will always be, the protection, health and well being of Norfolk children and young people. Inspectors have given us some very clear messages about how we must improve our safeguarding service across the board and we will rise to the challenge they have set us."

Alison Thomas, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “This judgement is very disappointing, and clearly there are a number of operational issues that need to be addressed.

“I know there is good practice in our arrangements to protect children but the challenge is to make sure that this is consistently good right across the county. I am pleased that Ofsted inspectors noted the strong commitment to protecting children shown by the Director, Chief Executive and I, together with our determination to champion children’s issues at corporate level and ensure sufficient resources are available.

“We must now move forward and I will have very clear oversight of the formal improvement plan and working very hard with the director and the Department for Education to bring about the necessary improvements as quickly as possible.”