Birmingham childrens services have improved, say inspectors

29 Sep 05
The Commission for Social Care Inspection has loosened its 'special action' measures against Birmingham City Council's children's services after an inspection this summer found 'promising prospects for improvement'.

30 September 2005

The Commission for Social Care Inspection has loosened its 'special action' measures against Birmingham City Council's children's services after an inspection this summer found 'promising prospects for improvement'.

In 2002 and 2003 the watchdog gave the children's services a zero star rating after it found that they were not 'serving children well' and showed 'uncertain capacity for improving'.

In July 2005, however, inspectors noted that the council had 'significantly addressed' funding issues and budget constraints, as well as improved managerial capacity and staff training.

CSCI's West Midlands regional director, Sarah Norman, said: 'We are pleased to recognise that improvements to social services for children and families in Birmingham can now be seen after a significant period of real concern.'

She added: 'There is still the need for continued progress before social services can be seen as serving all children and families in the city well.'

Services for children with disabilities, young people leaving care and joint working with housing services were highlighted as areas that remain a priority for improvements, said CSCI.

The Birmingham children's inspection is one of the last CSCI will report on before an enlarged Ofsted takes over.

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