To the children and young people in Dorset,
Inspection of children’s services
In October 2021, a team of six Ofsted inspectors visited Dorset. They looked at children and young people’s experiences of the help, protection and care given to them by workers at the local authority. They also looked at what leaders at the local authority do to make these services better.
We have asked the workers at the local authority to share this letter with you. It tells you the main things that inspectors found. There is a more detailed report on our website that you can read if you would like to.
What grades did inspectors give the local authority?
| Judgement | Grade |
| The impact of leaders on social work practice with children and families | Outstanding |
| The experiences and progress of children who need help and protection | Good |
| The experiences and progress of children in care and care leavers | Good |
| Overall effectiveness | Good |
What did the inspectors find
- I should probably start with when this story begins. In October 2019, Ofsted inspectors came to Dorset. There were new people in charge, who were looking at what needed to be done to improve services for children. Before that, children really didn’t get a good enough service. Social workers were trying to do their best, but they had too much to do.
- Since then, lots of things have changed for the better. The councillors and all of the managers have done a brilliant job. Social workers now have more time to do the things that matter to children and their families, and they are doing it really well. But it’s not just them. Youth workers, police officers, teachers and many other people are working together to make Dorset a great place to live.
- Obviously, we have to talk about COVID-19. It’s been really tough for a lot of children and their families. Workers from Dorset have done a good job of seeing the children that they are worried about, in gardens, in school or just out and about, if that’s been safer. They have helped with food for young people caring for their families, and they have protected children whose families are struggling.
- You might have heard of The Harbour. It will have a building soon, but it’s mainly about people. They get involved when teenagers are having trouble at home or go missing. They work all over Dorset and they are doing some great things. They help families to stay together. They also get to know about the people and places that may make children feel unsafe, and they do something about it.
- Sometimes it’s safer for children to come into care. When they do, most of them live with foster carers, who do a good job. Children can still keep in touch with people who are important to them, and their pets. Social workers listen to children and help them to understand what is going on. Staff at the ‘virtual school’ (teachers who work mainly with children in care) make sure that children don’t miss education, and get to do the things they that they enjoy.
- Young people leave care when they are 18. The people that help them, called personal advisers (PAs), work on a plan from age 16 onwards. Having extra time to think through what they need helps care leavers to stay where they are until they’re ready to live on their own. Mostly, they find a place that they like. Dorset doesn’t have enough houses for everyone so the council is creating more accommodation. At the moment, a very small number of care leavers have to stay somewhere temporarily, or short-term. I’ve asked the council to help them to find a permanent home more quickly.
- It was a real pleasure coming to Dorset and hearing some of your stories – thank you.
Yours truly
Steve Lowe
Her Majesty’s Inspector
