Cheshire East Council’s children’s services department is ‘performing well’ according to a new report from Ofsted. In their annual assessment, the national watchdog said that the Council has managed to sustain the good performance they achieved in 2010.

It went on to say: “The large majority of settings and institutions are good or better and the very large majority of provision helps children and young people to learn and stay safe.” The annual assessment derives from a four-point scale. Local authorities are judged to be performing poorly (1), performing adequately (2), performing well (3), or performing excellently (4).

A recent full inspection of safeguarding and services for looked-after children, judged both areas to be adequate. The report identified a number of strengths:
A high proportion of nurseries, primary schools and secondary schools are judged good or outstanding;
Strong academic performance continues for most children and young people as they move through the education system;

For young people staying in education or training, the large majority of provision is good or outstanding.
The overall effectiveness of special school provision continues to be strong; and
The large majority of services for looked after children are good.

There were areas where Ofsted thought improvements could be made.
These involve focusing on young people from low-income families, tackling persistent absence from secondary schools and improving certain areas of safeguarding procedures.

Councillor Hilda Gaddum, Cabinet member with responsibility for children and family services, said: “I am delighted that Ofsted has recognised the good work that is being carried out to help ensure the best possible outcomes for children and young people in Cheshire East. We are aware that certain areas can be improved upon and this is where we will be concentrating our efforts going forward.”