Telford & Wrekin Council hits out at Ofsted 'requires improvement' rating over vulnerable children

The council has been given a "requires improvement" rating by Ofsted for the way it deals with vulnerable children and those in care.

The government watchdog has drawn up 11 recommendations to help the local authority achieve a "good" rating following a month-long inspection in June and July.

It comes four years after the council was rated "adequate".

But Paul Watling, cabinet member for children and young people, hit out at the rating system and said: "We are not failing our children."

There are now four possible Oftsed ratings – outstanding, good, requires improvement or inadequate.

Councillor Watling said only one authority in the West Midlands, Staffordshire, had a "good" rating with none rated outstanding.

On the "requires improvement" rating, he said: "It's a horrible term.

"I am really comfortable with this report. I know we are not failing our children.

"This report is very clear in saying that we are protecting our children, but there are a few areas we need to improve in.

"I just wish there was not negative and degenerative language used for the ratings.

"It is not good for morale, especially when so many people have worked so hard over the past four years to improve things."

The report said children and young people were "kept safe" by the local authority.

It added: "It acts quickly and effectively to protect them when they are at immediate risk of significant harm.

"However, although acute risks are identified and responded to swiftly, chronic risks are not always identified or responded to as quickly.

"As a result, some children experience delay in receiving help or coming into care.

"A few children still enter care in an emergency, rather than in a planned way, even when these concerns are already known to the local authority."

Councillor Watling said he was particularly pleased with the improvements identified since the last report against a backdrop of needing to make 80 million worth of cuts over the past six years.

"This is a really positive report," he said.

"We have made plenty of good progress since the last inspection.

"I would like to thank all our staff and partners who have made this outcome possible.

"I know we will not rest on our laurels but will continue to strive to the very best that we can.

"This positive report comes despite the council having to cut 80m from its budget as well as facing an ever increasing workload."