Council run children's centres criticised by Ofsted

An inspection report out today (Tues) rates  Ryefield Children’s Centre, Ross-on-Wye, inadequate across the three key criteria – access to services, quality and practice, and effectiveness of leadership, governance and management.

Another report concludes that the same three criteria require improvement at Golden Valley Children’s Centre, Peterchurch.

At Ryefield, inspectors found that – for all the identified faults -  leaders held an “overly optimistic” view of the centre’s performance because related monitoring was poor.

Those leaders, the report reveals did not know how many children and families from the centre’s identified priority groups lived in the area that it served.

Those priority groups include children under assessment by social services or subject to protection plans.

Much of the information provided to the centre by the council was seen as relating to the whole county and not specifically to Ryefield’s catchment area.

Inspectors said the council itself has not “effectively driven” improvements at the centre, though the authority was recognized for “swift action” taken to specifically address health and safety monitoring and the quality of record keeping.

An “inadequate” grade” means the needs of children and families are not being met with leaders and managers not providing sufficient challenge to improve services.

Ryefield was, however, recognized  for the “effective” crisis support, particularly for families experiencing domestic violence and children identified as at risk.

Imprecise information from the council was also an issue identified at Golden Valley Children’s Centre where identified improvement priorities  were “not the most pressing”.

Nor was the council setting “challenging targets” to assist the centre’s development.

Families needing specific help, however,  received “good care and guidance” from staff and family support workers as did children with speech and language difficulties from a steps programme and nurturing group.

Staff were said to have the “skills and expertise” required to provide good quality targeted support, showing “strong commitment” to improving the lives of families despite cut backs.

A grade of “requires improvement”  means performance is not as good as it might reasonably be expected to be in one or more key areas.

Acknowledging the reports, the council says it will be “ working closely” with the advisory boards for each centre, the local community and other agencies to strengthen the services.

“Although disappointed, we accept the reports as an accurate appraisal of the children’s centres visited. We have taken immediate action to address the most pressing matters and will be working hard with partners to achieve sustainable improvements,” said Councillor Jeremy Millar, cabinet member for children’s services.