Camden’s Children’s Services rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted for a second time
Camden Council’s Children’s Services have been rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted, placing Camden as one of the best performers in the country for a second time.
The report, published today (Tuesday 15 April), scored the overall effectiveness of the Council’s children’s service as ‘outstanding’ - the highest score that can be achieved.
The inspection included detailed case work analysis, data review, and interviews with partners, children, and families, and assessed the service across four key areas. Each area was rated ‘outstanding’, including the newly introduced ‘experiences and progress of care leavers’.
In the report, Ofsted recognised Camden's success in protecting children and young people from harm and abuse through strong early help services that identify issues before they become worse.
Ofsted praised Camden's Children's Services for this consistent and impactful approach, noting that children in care "continue to benefit" from the relational work of staff at all levels. The report highlights Camden's "innovative and ambitious" efforts to improve support for young people through “multidimensional projects and workstreams”.
The report also emphasised the “outstanding services” provided to care leavers, with many making “exceptional progress”, and Camden’s strong commitment to anti-racist and relational practices.
Getting an 'outstanding' rating for a second time is fantastic news. It is a testament to the remarkable skill, care, and compassion our Children's Services staff demonstrate daily.
We want to see all our children reach their full potential and get the best possible start in life and we welcome Ofsted’s recognition of our significant and long-standing investments in working towards this.
A huge thank you to every single member of the team, and to our partners, for their unwavering commitment.
In Camden, we have long recognised the power of early intervention and prevention to keep families together and reduce the need for children to enter care.
This Ofsted rating validates our hard work in caring for and protecting children. A huge congratulations to all the team.
We will continue to work diligently, day and night, to maintain and further improve our outstanding Children's Services, ensuring that children and young people are at the heart of everything we do.
The inspection took place in March and other findings in the report include:
- “Exceptionally strong” responses to domestic abuse, risks outside the home, and mental health needs.
- The positive impact of “significant and long-standing investment in early help for families” in reducing statutory intervention rates.
- A focus on ensuring children's voices inform service delivery.
- “Strong, lasting relationships” with children and families.
- Leaders are “ambitious community parents for all Camden children, not just those in contact with children’s social care or early help services”.
Camden is the only local authority in the country to achieve the highest possible ratings of 'Outstanding' from both Ofsted for its Children's Services and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for its Adult Social Care.
The council remains committed to building on this success and continuing to improve its services for children and families.
Read the full Ofsted report here.