IT’S OFFICIAL: OUR CHILDREN’S SERVICES CONTINUE TO IMPROVE

Bedford Borough Council's Children's Services has received its annual assessment of children's services carried out by Ofsted, and the outcome is extremely positive. Ofsted has confirmed the Bedford Borough Children's Services assessment 2011 performs well and is a grade 3 on the 4 point scale. Performance in 2011 has improved from 2010 when the service was assessed as grade 2, or 'performs adequately.'

The assessment reflects the performance profile across Ofsted's inspection and regulation of services and settings for which the local authority has strategic or operational responsibilities, either alone or in partnership with others.

It was confirmed that the very large majority of services, settings and institutions inspected by Ofsted are good or better. Strengths remain the same as last year with improvement in the proportion of good or better childcare, children's home, upper school and post 16 provision. The recent unannounced inspection by Ofsted sampled the quality and efficiency of content, referral and assessment arrangements and their impact on minimising any child abuse and neglect. That report found a key area of strength is the quality of inter-agency working arrangements and no improvement area for development.

Mayor Dave Hodgson commented: "The Council has no more important functions than the safeguarding and the education of children and young people in Bedford Borough, and it is obviously very pleasing that the continuing improvement in services for children has been recognised. Congratulations are due to everyone involved in the vital, ongoing task of improving outcomes and opportunities for our children and young people."

Cllr David Sawyer, at Bedford Borough Council, said: "Staff have worked incredibly hard to secure this grade and it is evident that their dedication has paid off. I congratulate each individual who has helped produce a high quality service that has been externally recognised."

The Portfolio Holder for Children's Services Social Care at Bedford Borough Council added: "Safeguarding children is a tremendous responsibility and this result is a testament to all those involved. In real terms, the efficient running of this service, and its overall performance, reflects the impact it has on children's lives, which drives us towards securing even greater improvement going forward."