Bedford Borough Council’s children’s services have been rated as ‘requires improvement’ following a recent Ofsted inspection – a downgrade from the ‘good’ rating awarded in 2021.
The report, published after a five-day inspection in July, raised concerns about the use of unregistered homes for children in care, inconsistent management oversight, and high workloads for social workers.
Inspectors found that while many vulnerable children receive practical help and support, key areas of the service are not meeting the expected standards.
Positive relationships
Ofsted inspectors noted that the council’s early help services and the initial response to referrals were strengths. Children in care often have positive relationships with their social workers, and the participation of young people in shaping services was commended.
However, inspectors warned that placement sufficiency remains a significant challenge. Too many children are placed in unregistered or unregulated homes, with inconsistent oversight. In some cases, inspectors said, this had led to children being put at risk.
Management capacity and leadership oversight were also highlighted as weaknesses. The report stated that insufficient progress has been made since the last inspection and that more urgency is needed to address long-standing issues.
The overall effectiveness of the service, as well as the impact of leadership, help and protection for children, support for children in care, and care leavers, were all judged as requiring improvement.
In response, Cllr Jane Walker (Conservative), Portfolio Holder for Valuing Families: Children’s Services, acknowledged the challenges but said the council was already working to make improvements.
“Firstly, I want to pay tribute to every single one of the members of staff across Children’s Services,” she told the Bedford Independent.
“This report reflected many positive aspects of our service, not least the many vulnerable children are receiving effective help, support, and care, but it also highlighted areas for development.
“Since receiving this report, we have worked hard to respond to its findings. This has included revising our governance structures and creating a plan to address the areas identified in the report.
“We will also be investing resources to ensure that all of our children and families receive a good service from the Council. I have full confidence in our team, and every day I see their dedication and hard work for the benefit of every child in Bedford Borough.”
“Wake up call”
Cllr Hilde Hendrickx, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Children and Families, said the report raised “disappointing and worrying” concerns, and also criticised the high turnover of staff and the number of open vacancies, putting “immense pressure on our social workers”.
“It is disappointing and worrying that the quality of practice and support for the children and families in Bedford Borough has declined under the current administration and now requires improvement,” she said.
“I urge the leadership of Children’s Services to address the identified shortcomings with determination and urgency. Our children deserve nothing less.
“We are particularly concerned about the use of unregistered homes for our looked-after children, and the lack of oversight of children’s placements.
“The turnover in the workforce is also too high, with too many vacancies. This puts immense pressure on our social workers who are working hard to keep our children safe and well.
“This report is a wake-up call. The council must grasp the opportunity to do better for the children and families in our borough.”
The inspection also found that the council’s performance management and quality assurance processes were not yet robust enough to drive consistent improvements, and recommended better planning, stability in the workforce, and enhanced leadership oversight.
Ofsted inspectors did acknowledge that the council is “committed to learning” and has introduced “some effective practice” since the last inspection. Still, they warned that progress had not been quick or consistent enough.
The council says it has already begun work on an action plan to address the concerns and will continue to update councillors and residents as improvements are made.
You can download a full copy of the report here.
