West Berkshire's Children's Services judged Good by Ofsted

West Berkshire Council is celebrating a significant achievement following its latest Ofsted inspection of children's services, which concluded that the overall effectiveness of the service is 'Good'. This rating reflects the dedication and hard work of staff and leaders who have placed children and families at the heart of their mission.

The inspection, carried out between 8 and 19 September 2025, assessed four key areas:

• The impact of leaders on social work practice
• The experiences and progress of children who need help and protection
• The experiences and progress of children in care
• The experiences and progress of care leavers

All four areas were judged Good, marking a strong endorsement of the quality of care and support provided across West Berkshire.

Councillor Heather Codling, Executive Member for Children's Services, said:

"We are delighted that Ofsted has recognised the hard work and commitment of our teams and partners. Achieving a 'Good' rating across all areas is a testament to the dedication of staff who put children and families first every day.

"When we were elected as the administration in 2023 we recognised there was limited focus on Children's Services and this had resulted a in noticeable decline in some services. We appointed a new stable leadership team who have, as demonstrated by this fantastic outcome, been able to improve how we look after Children in West Berkshire.

"While we celebrate this success, we remain ambitious and focused on addressing areas for improvement, particularly in early help and ensuring timely support for every child. Our priority is to keep building on these strong foundations so that every child in West Berkshire can thrive."

Since the previous inspection in 2022, West Berkshire has faced challenges, including leadership changes and financial pressures that slowed progress. However, the appointment of a dedicated Director of Children's Services in late 2023 and the formation of a stable leadership team have been transformative. This renewed focus has driven improvements in key areas such as the multi-agency 'front door', tackling extra-familial harm, and permanence planning for children in care.

Inspectors praised the council's commitment to children, noting that leaders have made them a high priority. Workforce stability has improved significantly, with reduced turnover and reliance on agency staff. The introduction of assistant team managers and investment in professional development through a dedicated academy are helping to build a skilled and confident workforce.

The report also highlights that staff feel well supported and enjoy working in West Berkshire. Inspectors noted a "positive management culture with an accessible and visible wider leadership team" and praised the Council's commitment to staff engagement. Regular supervision, career development opportunities, and a strong learning culture through the social work academy ensure that practitioners are equipped to deliver high-quality services. Many staff told inspectors they "enjoy working for West Berkshire", reflecting a workplace that values its people and invests in their growth.

A number of areas were highlighted as working well. Children referred to the Contact, Advice and Assessment Service receive prompt and effective responses, thresholds are consistently applied, and management oversight is clear and robust.

Permanence planning is highly effective, ensuring that children move quickly into stable homes. In addition, kinship care options have expanded, and fostering recruitment and retention have strengthened.

Care leavers benefit from stable relationships with personal advisers and access to creative workshops, health support, and education opportunities. Almost all live in safe, suitable accommodation and many are engaged in education, employment, or training.
Collaboration with health services, police, and schools is strong, contributing to effective joint decision-making and safeguarding.

While the overall picture is positive, the report highlights areas where further progress is needed:

Current resources do not meet demand delivering early help for families, meaning some children miss out on timely support. Leaders are working with partners to develop a new strategy and increase capacity. For a small number of children experiencing chronic neglect or domestic abuse, interventions have not always been swift or effective. Although initiatives like the 'R:Vue' council and reverse mentoring are commendable, the reach and influence of children and young people's voices needs to grow. Plans to recruit additional participation officers are underway. The existing case recording system is outdated and cumbersome. A new system is planned for spring 2026 to improve efficiency and support practice.

Looking ahead, West Berkshire's ambition is clear: to deliver high-quality, relationship-based support for every child and family. Leaders are committed to embedding the council's chosen practice model, reducing caseloads, and ensuring that improvements are sustained. The inspection report acknowledges the strong foundations now in place and the determination to address remaining challenges.

AnnMarie Dodds, Executive Director for Children's Services, added:

"This outcome reflects the dedication of our staff and partners who work tirelessly to support children and families. We are proud of the progress made and remain focused on tackling the areas where improvement is needed. Our vision is for every child in West Berkshire to thrive, and this report shows we are firmly on that path."

West Berkshire Children's Services has turned a corner, demonstrating resilience, ambition, and a clear commitment to children's welfare. With continued focus on early help, participation, and system improvements, the future looks bright for the district's most vulnerable children and young people.

You can read the Ofsted inspection report here.