Safeguarding and Looked After Children

Inspection of Services in Barking and Dagenham

Introduction

By now many of you will know the outcomes of our unannounced inspection of contact, referral and assessment arrangements for children and young people conducted in November 2009.

The 2 day inspection identified a number of strengths and areas for development, and one area for priority action. You can find out more about our inspection results at the Ofsted website.

The findings of the unannounced inspection are likely to lead to a full announced inspection of our safeguarding and looked after children's services in the forthcoming months.

The inspection will include not only the Local Authority but its key partners, including NHS Barking and Dagenham, the Police, Schools and the Voluntary and Community Sector.

In response to the unannounced inspection, we have launched Project SAFE, an action plan that incorporates a number of actions required across the entire partnership to ensure a consistently SAFE service.

As part of our inspection preparations, we have set up a Project Board, chaired by the Corporate Director of Children's Services, to lead on the inspection and a small project team is working on the coordination of the preparation for the 10 day inspection.

Like the Joint Area Review held back in March 2007, Ofsted inspectors will want to talk to staff at all levels from a wide range of agencies across the partnership.

As part of our communication plan, we will regularly brief you on the progress of Project SAFE and inspection preparation via this website so that you are kept informed.

Helen Jenner

Corporate Director of Children's Services

Chris Pelham

Divisional Director for Safeguarding and Rights