Inspection Results
Focused visit to City of London Corporation Children’s Services
Statement from Judith Finlay Executive Director of Community and Children’s Services –
‘I am pleased to share the latest Ofsted focused visit, published today [17 July]. The focus was on reviewing our children’s social care and early help services in relation to domestic abuse, and those children who experience exploitation and youth violence. The team have continued to do brilliant work and inspectors found that “children have continued to receive high quality help and support with practice sustained and improved”. Good partnership working is key to keeping children safe and well and I am pleased to say that our shared commitment was well recognised in the visit feedback. Many thanks to all.’
I am incredibly proud to share the news that following our Ofsted focused visit last month, the inspectors have formally recognised the significant progress and dedication of our service, and have validated the professionalism, expertise, and genuine care that you bring to your roles.
We have made real, significant improvements since our last inspection in 2024, and that is entirely down to your collective effort and the extraordinary work you do every day.
The report highlights that our care leavers benefit from “warm, trusting and purposeful relationships” with staff who are ambitious for them and truly committed to helping them thrive.
The inspectors specifically commended our systemic, trauma-informed, and anti-racist (STAR) approach, and they praised the success of Sonder Space as a welcoming, stable hub for our young people.
I want to say a massive thank you to colleagues in Corporate Parenting, Leaving Care Services, QA, Performance and everyone across Children and Education and Housing, Climate and Economy who rolled up their sleeves and threw themselves into the improvement and inspection process. The sheer volume of additional work you juggled alongside your complex day-to-day practice has been nothing short of exceptional.
You can read the report in full online. Thank you for everything you do to champion our children and young people in Hackney – we should all be immensely proud!
Jacquie Burke – Executive Director, Children and Education