Harrow (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Harrow Council’s children’s services deemed ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted, citing leadership instability and inadequate support for care leavers and homeless children.
Following a borough-wide assessment in January, Ofsted rated Harrow children’s services as “Inadequate” overall based on its findings about the “experience and progress of care leavers.”
After the department’s last inspection in 2020, it received an overall “Good” rating; this is a decline from that rating.
The quality of support for care leavers “has deteriorated,” according to the report, and the danger of harm to those who were previously in the local authority’s care “is not always considered or responded to effectively.”
Despite being entitled to continuing help, inspectors noted “serious failures” in communicating with a “significant number of care leavers.”
It was stated that the quality of plans for individuals getting ready to leave foster care and live on their own was “highly variable,” with weaker examples having outdated material, not being child-centered, and being challenging to read and comprehend.
A “lack of professional curiosity” into their later living arrangements caused them to be unaware of the potential hazards. Inspectors found that neither managers nor their personal adviser (PA) could show how to reduce the danger of injury, even when it was identified.
According to the report, “little effort is made to find them and ensure they are safe” when young people go missing, and the local authority’s assistance for many unaccompanied asylum-seeking care leavers was deemed “ineffective.”
It further stated that there “is not currently sufficient leadership stability or focus to lead the level of change required” and that governmental and corporate support for children and care leavers in Harrow “has not adequately ensured that [their] needs have been consistently met.”
Cllr. Hitesh Karia, the cabinet member for children’s services, said it was “sad” that the report pointed out that the council “hasn’t always provided the right support at the right time for all our young people as they leave care” in recent years.
He said:
“For that, we are truly sorry. We accept the findings of this report and have moved quickly to ensure those who have been let down now have a dedicated worker and will have the support they so rightly deserve to thrive in everything they go on to do as adults.”
The council was rated as either “Good” or “Requires improvement to be good” on the three other metrics: the experiences and progress of children in care; the experiences and progress of children who need help and protection; and the influence of leaders on social work practice.
However, the council’s performance on care leavers earned it the lowest overall rating.
Children are thoroughly assessed, and “clear plans” that outline the necessary changes are put into action, ensuring that the children and their families know what is expected of them and the purpose of social workers in their lives.
Additionally, Ofsted noted that since the last inspection, there has been an improvement in the recognition and effective response to children who go missing or are at danger of exploitation.
Children who are placed in the local authority’s care “make tangible and sustained progress,” according to Ofsted, and are housed in “settled and stable living arrangements” where their continuing medical needs are “very well met.”
The difficulties local authorities encounter in juggling resources and attending to the needs of vulnerable groups are brought to light by this inspection. Future inspections will keep a close eye on Harrow Council’s attempts to address these issues.
The report notes that more funding has been allocated “to strengthen services and increase staffing capacity” in spite of the council’s financial difficulties.
Cllr Karia said:
“The well-being and safeguarding of our children and young people has and always will be a top priority for the council.
We take the role of looking after children in care and supporting them into adulthood very seriously. It is reassuring that the Ofsted report recognises the ‘Good’ work we do to safeguard and support those children.”
He added:
“While the outcome is not what we hoped for, the report highlights the great work our dedicated social workers do and the good services we generally provide for our children and young people.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their dedication to achieving better outcomes for our children and young people.”
What are the key findings in the Ofsted report?
The council received a “Good” rating for protecting and assisting minors under the age of 18.
Social workers received praise for establishing trusting bonds with kids and teens and for giving families prompt, efficient early support.
The inconsistent support given to care leavers (young adults over 18 who have left care) was the reason for the “Inadequate” assessment. When they most needed it, many care leavers were unable to get timely guidance, support, and personal advisors.
A prior inspection in 2020 had given Harrow’s children’s services a “Good” rating. Though there has been progress in certain areas since then, care leaver support has declined.
With plans to improve services for care leavers in the future, the council underlined its commitment to enhancing outcomes for all children and young people in Harrow.