Bracknell

Services for children and young people provided by Bracknell Forest Borough Council have been graded as 'good' by inspectors.

Their overall judgement was that Bracknell Forest's children's services: "consistently delivers above minimum requirements for users."

Inspectors from the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) and the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) graded the work the Bracknell Council is doing to achieve its five outcomes for every child in the borough.

The outcomes and their gradings are: Be healthy (excellent), Stay safe (good), Enjoying and achieving (good), Make a positive contribution (good), Achieving economic wellbeing (good)

The inspectors also looked at three themes, all of which they graded good:

* The contribution of Bracknell Council's children's services to maintaining and improving outcomes for children and young people
* The Council's overall capacity to improve its services for children and young people
* The contribution of the Council's social care services in maintaining and improving outcomes for children and young people

Known as the Annual Performance Assessement (APA), the inspection has been carried out in every children's services authority in the country since last year.

As well as a visit from the inspection team which took place in September, the Council also had to prepare a rigorous self-assessment showing how it is meeting its targets.

In last year's APA the Council's children's services were assessed as good.

In a letter delivering their judgement to Tony Eccleston, Director of Bracknell Education, Children's Services and Libraries, the inspectors also highlight the work towards the Be healthy outcome which has improved to excellent after last year's rating of good.

Some of the key strengths they identify include the continued reduction in teenage conception rates, the robust child protection procedures in place, good educational achievment of looked after children and the well established youth forum.

The inspectors praise the involvement of children and young people in putting together the Children and Young People's Plan which describes what is being done now to identify the needs of children, young people and families and what further work lies ahead.

Bracknell Council also helped children and young people to devise their own version of the plan which has been circulated to schools, youth centres and libraries.

Cllr Dr Gareth Barnard, Executive Member for Bracknell Children's Services, said: "This is good news for every child in Bracknell Forest because it shows we are providing them with good quality services.

"The inspectors show we have improved in a number of areas and I am particularly pleased they have highlighted our success in involving children and young people in the development of our plans for the future."

Tony Eccleston said: "I am pleased to see the inspectors have recognised our excellent working relationship with colleagues in the health and community sectors as well as our commitment to ensuring children and young people play their part.

"The recognition that the authority has good capacity for further improvement is also pleasing – Bracknell Forest has a superb team of people working to make a positive impact on the lives of children and young people."

A report on the outcome of this year's APA was presented to the Council's Executive on November 14.

For more information visit: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/changeforchildren

Bracknell Forest Borough Council