The hard work of people who look after children in Reading has been praised after an Ofsted inspection into children's services in the town.

Children's services cover looking after children in care, supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities, and providing support through education, health and care (EHC) plans.

Ofsted, the education and children's services regulator inspected the provision in Reading earlier this year.

The inspection team led by Christine Kennet judged that the children's services in Reading still 'requires improvement to be good'.

Areas identified for improvement were the experiences and progress of
children who need help and protection, the impact of leaders on social work practice and overall effectiveness.

The service was rated 'Good' in the experiences and progress of
children in care, and those who leave care, including when they reach adulthood.

Members of Reading Borough Council's adult social care, children's services and education committee were recently given a debrief on the inspection report at a meeting.

Wendy Griffith (Labour, Battle), lead councillor for children, said: "The word 'Good' doesn't really do justice to the work that goes into providing care services for children all across Reading, but particularly where those families are facing difficult times.

"Every care worker, social worker, foster carer, advocate, mental trainer, personal advisor: we recognise the hard work that goes into helping to move us to 'Good' in those sections."

The inspection took place over two weeks in April and May, with the report being published in July.

A council report on the inspection was provided by Lara Patel, the executive director of children's services.

Cllr Louise Keane (Green, Katesgrove) said: "I felt like it's a very factual report but it's very bland, it has no idea what actually goes on, what social workers have to do, and how hard colleagues have to work to get very small outcomes.

"I feel very aggrieved that everyone who works so hard just to achieve very very minor things, let alone big things.

"I was very pleased to see some of the improvements, particularly around supporting children with disabilities and that was very promising."

Cllr Keane then questioned what could be done to stop referrals being closed early, as children can often end up being re-referred and facing delayed access to care.

Lara Patel replied that 'front door' services have been improved, with a 'partnership hub' being available which ensures children are directed to the services they need effectively.

Childrens services in Reading are run by the council-owned company Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC), which was created in December 2018 after the council's children's services were rated Inadequate.

BFfC must devise a formal action plan and submit this to Ofsted by Monday, October 21.