Children’s social care rated Outstanding in Essex

Following a period of assessment in November 2018, Ofsted inspectors have judged Essex County Council’s children's social care services to be of the highest quality.

Inspectors judged the local authority to be outstanding in its services to children, with consistently high standards applied across the county, innovative and high quality help and support available and a well-trained and highly skilled workforce.

Ofsted’s report specifically praised the staff and social workers, highlighting that ‘staff morale and motivation are high’ and that workers describe the work they are able to undertake with children and families as the reason they came into social work.

Dick Madden, cabinet member for Children and Families said: “This Outstanding rating is simply the best way to start the New Year. It is a fantastic achievement to all working in children's social care in Essex and I want to say thank you to each and every person who has played a part in making Essex Ofsted Outstanding. The journey to becoming an Outstanding children's social care service has been greatly rewarding. We have invested in our staff, improved practice and developed innovative methods but all the time we have ensured at the heart of everything is the drive to improve the lives of our vulnerable children and their families. I could not be more proud of this achievement. Congratulations to all involved."