A children's service has been rated 'good' following a visit from Ofsted inspectors.

The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead was given the rating following the recent inspection.

The service, which is commissioned by the council and delivered by Achieving for Children (AfC), provides support to children, young people, and families across the borough.

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Inspectors found that the council had successfully turned previous areas of weakness into areas of strength, thanks to an experienced and consistent leadership team.

The report highlighted that the council had improved and maintained progress in every area since the last inspection in 2020.

Inspectors found that 'good support' was being provided to children and young people from the right people, when they need it, and timely responses to contact and referrals based on strong partnership working.

 

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The report praised the 'wide range of high-quality community-based resources available to support families in need of early help.'

The council's focus on ensuring that children in care 'live in safe, secure and caring homes in which they feel safe and thrive' was also commended.

The services for care leavers were described as 'outstanding,' with care leavers now receiving 'excellent support' to progress into adulthood.

Care leavers aged 18-25 years have an active say in how the council supports them and receive expert guidance from 'tenacious' and 'ambitious' personal advisors.

The council also helps care leavers to develop and drive their personal skills and understand the financial and practical help that is available to them as adults.

Children are visited regularly and develop trusting relationships with their social workers, who know them well.

Staff fed back to inspectors that they are encouraged to develop and progress their skills, with a variety of training on offer to support this, and that 'workers describe a highly visible senior leadership team and being part of an organisation in which they feel appreciated.'

However, inspectors also identified the need for more homes for children in care and improved oversight and consistency in the service that is provided to support children with disabilities.

They noted that improvements were already underway in these areas.

This will be assisted by the introduction of a new case management system that will help modernise day-to-day tasks and boost efficiency from early in 2025.

Councillor Amy Tisi, cabinet member for children's services and education, said: "These inspection outcomes are a fantastic reflection of the hard work that is being carried out every day by the Royal Borough and Achieving for Children to give children in our borough the best possible start to life and opportunities into adulthood."