Lewisham’s children services “outstanding”

pic: Lewisham Council

Lewisham is the first London borough to be rated “outstanding” for its services that keep children and young people safe.

The council is the third in the country to have received this high grade.

Ofsted, along with the Care Quality Commission, praised the council’s safeguarding services for their overall effectiveness and capacity to improve.

The report said the team is under the guidance of an exceptional management team with “highly ambitious and energetic leadership”. It praised the ambition and prioritisation of the board, which ensured equality and diversity could be attained in the children’s service.

The contribution of health agencies to keep children and young people safe, including NHS Lewisham, and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, was also rated “outstanding”.

“Health partners are highly committed to partnership working to ensure that children and young people are safe and well protected,” read the report.

Following The Children Act 2004, every local council has to set up its Safeguarding Children Board, consisting of representatives from agencies, organisations and services in the borough, to provide safeguarding services for children and young people.

Leave a Reply