The service was previously rated as ‘requires improvement’ in 2018 and 2022, and ‘inadequate’ prior to that in 2015.
Cllr Claire Holland, the Leader of Lambeth Council, said: “The latest outcome for our children’s services is a fantastic achievement and reflects our commitment and determination to transform our public services and how we are making a really positive impact on the lives of the Lambeth children who need us most.
“I want to thank everyone involved in making this possible, from our social workers and senior leadership to our foster carers and councillors who have all worked day in, day out, to create positive change for our children and families.
“Following our good rating of our Youth Justice Service and in our housing service by the Regulator of Social Housing, this latest achievement reflects our laser focus on turning our services around and continuing on a path of strong improvement. We now better serve our most vulnerable residents, despite our very serious budget challenges following over a decade of cuts to our funding and cuts to public services across the piece.”
Ofsted found Children’s services in Lambeth have significantly strengthened, noting a sustained commitment and strategic focus from senior and political leaders which has led to clear and measurable improvements.
It noted that Lambeth has also introduced a range of programmes aimed at improving the lives of children and young people, including recognising care experience as a locally protected characteristic and pursuing accreditation as a UNICEF Child Friendly Borough.
Councillor Ben Kind, Lambeth’s Cabinet Member for Children and Families, said: “Ofsted’s judgement that Lambeth’s children’s services are now Good, with Outstanding support for care leavers, is a powerful endorsement of the progress made by the people who support children and young people in our borough.
“This recognition belongs to our social workers, foster carers, personal advisers and staff whose professionalism and compassion are making a real difference to young people’s lives.
“I’m particularly pleased that inspectors recognised how children’s voices are shaping the decisions we take as leaders, and the outstanding support our care leavers receive as they move into adulthood.
“We are proud of the progress made since the last inspection in 2022, and we are already continuing to strengthen services, including the way families access help at the front door, so children receive the right support at the earliest possible stage.”
The council has already begun responding to the inspection, strengthening the way families access support so children receive help earlier and decisions are made more consistently.
The Lambeth Youth Justice Service, which supports young people that have come into contact with the criminal justice system, was also praised in January this year following an inspection of its work by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation.
Overall the council service received a rating of ‘Good’ with outstanding features, in a finding which both praised the work being undertaken and provided direction for further improvement.
The new rating also demonstrates a marked improvement in the Lambeth Council service which was previously graded as ‘requiring improvement’ in 2019 and ‘inadequate’ in 2015.
To read the full report visit ofsted.gov.uk.
