A recent Ofsted inspection has exposed troubling practices within Somerset Council’s children’s services, revealing that vulnerable children are frequently placed in unlawful, unregistered homes as temporary solutions. This finding contributed to the council’s overall rating being downgraded from ‘good’ to ‘requires improvement’ in three out of four assessed areas.
The Ofsted report, published on June 17 following an April inspection, highlights a decline in some services over the past four years despite earlier commendations. Inspectors noted that many children suffer prolonged neglect before the council intervenes adequately, delaying crucial assistance.
Key issues identified include unclear thresholds among managers for safeguarding decisions, prolonged durations for child and family assessments due to workload pressures, and insufficient multi-agency child protection strategy discussions when children face significant harm. The council’s reliance on unregistered homes for vulnerable children has led to instability, with many children experiencing multiple placement changes in short periods.
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The report also criticised delays in escalating cases into the public law outline (PLO) process, a legal step before formal care proceedings, thereby prolonging children’s exposure to neglectful parenting without satisfactory resolution.
However, the inspection acknowledged positive aspects of Somerset’s services. Notably, the multi-agency approach supporting young carers was praised for its effectiveness, with tailored support ensuring their needs are met in educational settings. Social workers were commended for building trusting relationships with children on protection plans, including those with disabilities.
The council’s efforts to combat grooming and county lines exploitation through the specialist WAVE service have made a measurable difference, reducing risks for some children and increasing parental awareness.
Support for homeless 16-17-year-olds, unaccompanied children, and care leavers also received positive acknowledgment. Ofsted rates children’s services based on leadership impact, protection for children in need, care experiences, and care leavers' progress. Somerset Council requires improvement in the first three categories but remains good in supporting care leavers.
Cllr Heather Shearer, the Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education, expressed disappointment at the overall rating but emphasized the council’s commitment to addressing the highlighted issues. She highlighted the importance of recruiting and supporting foster carers to provide stable, loving families for children in care.
Cllr Leigh Redman, Chair of the Children and Education Scrutiny Committee, welcomed the report’s clarity and pledged ongoing scrutiny to ensure improvements are made swiftly and effectively.
Together, these efforts aim to provide every child in Somerset with the safety, stability, and support they deserve to thrive.