Statement from Paul Carter on the Ofsted inspection report

19 November 2010

Kent County Council has been given an inadequate rating for our safeguarding and looked after children services by Ofsted. 

We have always had a reputation for a strong service and as Leader of KCC I can say no service is more important to me and to my Cabinet Members. We take the Ofsted judgement extremely seriously.

Let us be under no illusions that looking after vulnerable children is the most complex and challenging task. Our social workers are dedicated people who work very hard. But this is a service which is rooted in making judgements about the lives of families. So this work entails some of the most difficult and demanding judgements that have to be made in public service.

As leaders of the service we need to re-focus our efforts so that the work is at the frontline, not on processes and tick box procedures.

The Ofsted report is critical of public agency partners who work across the field of safeguarding. We now start the recovery plan to restore the level of services to good or outstanding.

My energies and those of my Cabinet will be absolutely focused on supporting and challenging everybody involved to put right any shortcomings and weaknesses that have been identified by the Ofsted inspection.

KCC will implement every recommendation within the timescales set and will welcome a follow up inspection by Ofsted in 12 months time, by which time substantial improvements will have been made.