Date: 13 November 2006 20:19

PRAISE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE'S SERVICES IN CAMBRIDGESHIRE

Services provided by Cambridgeshire County Council for children and young 
people across the county have been highly praised by Government inspectors.

The three main areas assessed were all rated as 'good' and graded 3 out of 
4 - where 4 is the highest. This represents an improvement on last year.

Inspectors from the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) and the 
Office for Standards in Education (OfSTED) examined the contribution of the 
local authority's children's services, and social care services, in 
maintaining and improving outcomes for children and young people; and the 
Council's capacity to improve these services.

The contribution of Cambridgeshire's social care services rose from grade 2 
last year to grade 3 this year. The other two categories maintained their 
grades of 3.

The three areas were broken down into six more specific categories - being 
healthy, staying safe, enjoying and achieving, making a positive 
contribution, achieving economic well-being and the management of children's 
services.

Inspectors praised the Council's partnership working with the NHS in meeting 
targets for reducing smoking in pregnancy; breastfeeding and MMR 
vaccinations.

They also highlighted the success of Cambridgeshire's campaign to recruit 
additional foster parents locally. "The inspection of the Council's 
fostering services found 77% of standards are now being met compared to 44% 
last year. Adoptions of looked after children have risen this year to a very
good level," said their report.

Outcomes in the area of enjoying and achieving were described as good, and 
inspectors noted that the percentage of primary schools in Cambridgeshire 
causing concern was lower than in similar authorities. They said actions 
taken by the authority in supporting schools causing concern were 
'well-judged'.

"The number of children permanently excluded from primary schools is zero; 
in secondary schools it is in line with similar authorities. The authority 
works well to ensure that pupils from the relatively large Traveller 
communities attend school. The attendance of looked after children is good. 
It is considerably better than in similar authorities," said inspectors. 
They also praised the Council's work in consulting young people and taking 
their views into account before drawing up its plans.

"The Council and its partners provide a wide range of support for parents, 
for example courses for those whose children exhibit challenging behaviour. 
These show an impressive completion rate," added the report.

Inspectors highlighted Cambridgeshire's management of its services and its 
capacity to improve them further, and praised the Council's shift in 
management culture to one of greater accountability.

The Council was encouraged to improve arrangements for monitoring health 
services for looked after children placed outside Cambridgeshire, and ensure 
value for money in the placements of children.

Inspectors urged the authority to improve the educational attainment of 
looked after children, improve standards in school sixth forms and enhance 
the preparation for independent living of those leaving care.

Coun Shona Johnstone, Cambridgeshire County Council's Cabinet Member for 
Children and Young People's Services said: "This is an encouraging report, 
which underlines our determination to improve outcomes for children and 
young people across Cambridgeshire. I am very pleased with the considerable 
progress made towards our vision of providing integrated services. However, 
there is still work to be done, and this inspection provides useful pointers 
to the areas which require further development - areas which have already 
been identified by Members and officers."

John Reynolds