Slough children’s social care rated inadequate

In a report released today (Tuesday 25 August) Ofsted have rated Slough children’s services inadequate. 

The report follows an inspection of children’s social care services – currently run by Slough Children First on behalf of the council – which took place in July this year. 

Ofsted found the service to be inadequate across all four main measures:

The report states: “Since the last ILACS inspection in 2023, the service provided to children has deteriorated. Widespread and serious weaknesses in Slough’s help and protection services result in children being left in unsafe situations for too long, with some being seriously harmed.

“…churn in social workers and poor arrangements for progressing care plans mean that children are subject to delays in achieving permanence, actions within plans drift for months and, sometimes, years. Leadership and management oversight of some of the most vulnerable children is very weak. Some children in care are left in harmful and inappropriate homes.”

Councillor Puja Bedi, lead member for children, said: “This report is highly critical of how the service has been and, on behalf of the council, I want to apologise for not doing well enough for all the children who have needed us. 

“Staff are working for Slough children with dedication and focus but we continue to grapple with high demand, very high caseloads and complex needs in a complex town. 

“Unfortunately, the turnover of senior staff has been much higher than ideal and with each new management team brings more challenges and changes which have not shown to be sustainable. 

“The positives we take from the report is the recognition of the new and experienced management team who started in March who not only identified the fundamental issues within the service but could articulate them clearly and honestly with Ofsted. 

“They have already started putting plans in place for improvements across the board and this was recognised by Ofsted. We now need to focus on those improvements to ensure they are sustainable and so we can provide more consistent and concentrated support for our children and young people – especially those at risk of harm – both immediately and in the longer-term.”

Councillor Wal Chahal, leader of the council, added: “These are not new issues; these services have been rated inadequate or requiring improvement for 15 years. That is a generation of children who have been let down.

“Our focus is change, with Slough Borough Council, Slough Children's First, officers, members, families and communities working together to safeguard the futures of children in Slough."

Though rated inadequate, as well as the new leadership, the report did highlight areas of good practice and where good service was being provided. 

One area praised by Ofsted was the Slough virtual school – a group of professionals, including a headteacher, teachers and specialists in education welfare, who work with a child or young person, as an additional resource alongside and in partnership with their main school – so children and young people in care, who have previously been in care or need social care support, do as well as they can in their education.

Others included the adoption and fostering services. 

The full report can be found here: 50309683