Birmingham children's services 'Good' after more than a decade of 'inadequate' ratings
Birmingham Children’s Trust was set up in 2018, to manage the city’s children's services with the Council
Less than a year after a serious case review into the death of a seven year old Birmingham boy found agencies involved in his care failed him - Birmingham's Children's Services have been rated as 'good' by OFSTED across the board.
In 2018, Birmingham Children’s Trust was created to manage the city’s children's services with the City Council.
Prior to that children’s social care services in Birmingham had been graded ‘Inadequate’ by Ofsted since 2010 and had been failing for longer. Government intervention, along with the appointment of a series of commissioners, reflected the national concern for these services.
The City Council took the decision to deliver its social care services through a Trust in January 2017.
The appointments of Andrew Christie as Chair and Andy Couldrick as Chief Executive followed.
A new board of executive directors and independent non-executive directors was also recruited.
In 2023 all five areas inspected were given a ‘Good’ grading, with many positive highlights focusing on areas including the quality of staff leadership, partnership working, safeguarding and corporate parenting.
Ofsted said the following areas still need to improve:
- The effectiveness of the response to domestic abuse.
- Earlier pre-birth assessments to support early permanence planning, and timely action to progress permanence plans for children in stable placements through changes to legal status.
- Earlier engagement of personal advisers for children leaving care.
- Consistency of written plans.
The improved rating comes less than a year since a serious case review into the death of 7 year old Hakeem Hussain in Birmingham in 2017 ago found all those involved in his care failed to save him..
Hakeem died from an asthma attack after suffering neglect at the hands of his mum - who didn't keep on top of the condition.
She's now in prison for causing his death and the neglect she subjected him to.
Andrew Christie, Birmingham Children’s Trust Chair, said:
“We are all delighted that today’s Ofsted report confirms the progress we have made, and the quality of practice provided by our fantastic team. We know there is more to do, but the improvements are evident. Our work throughout has been shaped by the voices of children and young people in Birmingham.
“We have worked incredibly hard to ensure that partnership working with Birmingham City Council, statutory and non-statutory partners has become one of our strengths, and i am so pleased that Ofsted acknowledge this as a major improvement.
“The Trust is here to improve the outcomes for children, young people, and families, so to be told by Ofsted that ‘children in care and care-experienced young people are genuinely listened to and actively engaged in recruitment, staff training and service development’ is testament to the way our staff meaningfully engage with children in care and care experienced young people.”
Councillor Brigid Jones, Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council, said:
“It is tremendous news to know that the devotion and dedication of staff in the city council, partners and Birmingham Children’s Trust has been rewarded with a ‘Good’ grade by Ofsted inspectors.
“The city of Birmingham faces challenges on a bigger scale than most, supporting some of the country’s most vulnerable children, young people and families. This has been a long journey with a tremendous amount of work from so many people and it is an historic moment seeing their efforts recognised.
“To everyone who has been a part of that journey: thank you.”