Children's services in Barnet have been rated as 'good' by Ofsted - with one area receiving the top 'outstanding' score. The education watchdog gave Barnet Council’s children’s services department the second highest grade in four out of five categories, with the progress of children in care reported as 'outstanding'.

The inspection took place in June, and the council was praised for its “improved” services and its “focus” on improving children’s outcomes in the report, which was published in July. 

The 'good' ratings were for the impact of leaders on social work practice with children and families; the experiences and progress of children who need help and protection; the experiences and progress of care leavers; and overall effectiveness.

Ofsted’s inspection letter stated children in Barnet received “strong and effective” services. 

Lead inspector Naintara Khosla wrote: “A stable and committed leadership team has continued to strengthen and enhance social work practice since the previous inspection in 2019.”

Four areas were highlighted in the letter as needing improvement. These were return home interviews, which inform the safety plans for children who go missing; communication about living arrangements for care leavers; timeliness of early help support; and the management oversight of the local authority designated officer.

The report was noted by councillors during a council meeting last Tuesday (October 15).

Cllr Pauline Coakley-Webb, cabinet member for family friendly Barnet, said: “This really is a positive story for what has happened with our young people and the staff that look after them, it was something we were expecting but as with schools it’s viewed with some trepidation.”

She congratulated the staff and said the results were a “credit” to the service.

She added: “It’s been committed and verified by the Ofsted report that we’re still on the right route to get better and better in everything we do for our young people."