CHESHIRE East Council has been told there is 'much more to do to improve' after its children's services slipped to an 'inadequate' rating.

Education and children's services watchdog Ofsted carried out an inspection of the council earlier this year before publishing its report today (May 16).

The inspector noted improvements in some areas of practice had been made since the last inspection in 2019, such as shortfalls around the risk of child exploitation being addressed and the development and opening of family hubs.

But it was found the quality of practice, as well as the experience and progress of children and young people, is too variable and for care leavers, it is inadequate.

It was also noted insufficient improvements had been made to services for children subject to 'child in need' and child protection plans.

In her report, which gave Cheshire East's children's services an overall inadequate rating, inspector Teresa Godfrey said: "Following the Joint Targeted Area Inspection (JTAI) in July 2022, when areas for priority action were identified for children at risk of child exploitation, practice shortfalls have been addressed effectively.

"The development and opening of family hubs have strengthened the early help offer, enabling more families to access timely and appropriate support.

"Nevertheless, there is much more to do to improve the quality of practice to ensure a consistent response to the most vulnerable children and care leavers in Cheshire East.

"Senior leaders had not recognised, until this inspection, the extent of improvement required in services for care leavers."

Suggested improvements in the report include senior leaders' oversight of performance; the quality, consistency and responsiveness of support, advice and guidance for care leavers; and the quality and frequency of visits to children.

Conservative councillor Jos Saunders, who was the cabinet member for children’s services in 2018, said: “In 2018, we were so pleased with the outcome of Mark Riddell’s feedback.

"However, even then, I made it clear we could not rest on our laurels and indeed, we delivered further improvements later that year.

"To see those excellent results decline in just five years is heartbreaking and our young people, in care and leaving care, deserve better.”

Cllr Janet Clowes, the Conservative group leader at Cheshire East, called for the resignation of the council's lead member for children.

She added: "Over the past five years, the lead member for children has consistently failed in their leadership to challenge, oversee and maintain the care of our most vulnerable residents, or the functionality of the service, to such unprecedented levels the whole council is staring a Section 114 bankruptcy Notice in the face.

"It is time they ‘consider their position’ and resign this vital, statutory role to someone better able to fulfill it."

Cllr Carol Bulman, lead member for children, pointed to swift action taken by the council to rectify gaps in the service to care-experienced young adults and address other feedback from the report.

An action plan has also been drawn up setting out further improvements to be implemented over the next 18 months 'to ensure services to children are consistently good'. 

Cllr Bulman said: "We are of course disappointed with the outcome of this latest inspection and are sorry that some aspects of our support for young people does not meet the expected standard.

"However, we accept the findings and are committed to addressing all the inspectors’ recommendations."

The report also noted staff enjoyed working in Cheshire East and that, despite facing financial pressures, the council had made further investment to strengthen services and increase staffing.

Cllr Laura Crane, ward councillor for Ettiley Heath and Wheelock, added: "I feel for the staff who have worked so hard to improve the lives of children in Cheshire East.

"Now, despite the Ofsted report recognising the improvements in their areas, children’s services will be badged with the overall one-word Ofsted rating that actually relates to the experience of 18 to 25-year-old care-experienced young adults."