Young people leaving care in Enfield are safe and well supported by committed and caring staff but there is still work to do, Ofsted inspectors found.
Ofsted inspected Enfield’s children’s services for a ‘focused visit’ on July 5 and 6.
In a letter to the council’s executive director of people services Tony Theodoulou published on August 9, inspector Andy Whippey praised a “sustained focus” on the part of senior managers, elected members and partners that had resulted in “tangible and sustained improvements” for care leavers.
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The inspection found care leavers have their views, hopes, and wishes supported, live in stable and safe accommodation and have access to the help they need.
Inspectors praised pathway plans, which have a good focus on helping care leavers to develop the life skills that they will need to successfully negotiate the challenges and opportunities of the adult world.
The letter said: “The voice of care leavers is consistently evident throughout their plans; their views, hopes and wishes are clearly captured.”
However, the report added that “there is still more to do” as the planning response when leavers’ needs change or risk escalate needs improvement.
It went on: “A small number of plans have not been reviewed following significant changes to young people’s circumstances, so that their current plans do not reflect their needs or the support that is being provided to them.
“In a small minority of risk assessments, the measures identified to reduce risk are insufficiently articulated.”
The council was also found to be effective at ensuring care leavers have access to employment and training opportunities and ensuring their emotional and physical needs are met in a creative and innovative way.
Enfield councillor Abdul Abdullahi, who is responsible for children’s services, said: “Enfield Council is ambitious and determined to ensure children and young people in its care achieve the best possible outcomes in life.
“We are committed to help these children and young people thrive by giving them the skills and opportunities they need to thrive in the world and we are working tirelessly to ensure they can achieve their aspirations.
The care leavers hub is due to move to central Enfield, which Ofsted says will provide more opportunities for care leavers to access these services.
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