Ofsted Focused Visit - July 2025
What it recommends
- “consider and comment on the findings of the Ofsted Focused Visit which were published on 1 September 2025.”
What the meeting decided
The minutes record: Noted. “RESOLVED to: 1) note the findings of the Ofsted Focused Visit which were published on 1 September 2025; and 2) note that the areas of improvement set out in the 2023 ILACS have been addressed and recognised by Ofsted. Reasons 34.3 East Sussex has maintained a focus on the key priority outcome of keeping vulnerable people safe. The response letter recognises the improvements made following the last ILACS in 2023, in relation to the Public Law Outline, private fostering arrangements and neglect.” minutes ↗
In plain English
Noted · Received for information; no decision followed.
The response letter, published on 1 September 2025, found that children in need and those on child protection plans are receiving services that make a positive difference for them, and that leaders continue to invest in services for vulnerable children. p12
Ofsted made one recommendation for improvement, on the timeliness of child protection strategy meetings, which it said is not consistently timely for all children. p12p13
Cabinet was asked to consider and comment on the report and to note that the areas for improvement identified in the 2023 inspection have been addressed and recognised by Ofsted. p5p16
Show the 4 passages this is based on
- p5RECOMMENDATION: Cabinet is recommended to consider and comment on the findings of the Ofsted Focused Visit which were published on 1 September 2025.
- p122 Supporting information 2.1 The report, published on 1 September 2025 is attached at Appendix 1. It can also be viewed using the following link: East Sussex County Council - Inspection Reports - Ofsted . 2.2 This type of visit does not provide an outcome grading but instead sets out key findings within the area of focus or theme, and any associated recommendations. 2.3 The response letter highlights the following key findings: Children in need in East Sussex, and those who are the subject of a child protection plan, are receiving services that make a positive difference for them and whose effectiveness is being continually developed. The senior leadership team, with strong corporate support, continues to invest in services for vulnerable children. Leaders have continuously developed and refined services to ensure they have a positive impact on children’s lives. There is a strong focus on providing integrated, multidisciplinary support to children and families. This approach ensures that children and families benefit from consistent, high-quality practice that supports their progress and improves their lives. There is relentless focus on supporting a stable and committed workforce, enabling staff to develop their skills and feel valued within the council. Leaders are actively creating the right conditions to strengthen social work practice and improve the quality of services for children and families. 2.4 We have received one recommendation for improvement:
- p13The timeliness with which child protection strategy meetings are held, as this is not consistently timely for all children (outcome 3, national framework).
- p163 Conclusion and recommendations 3.1 East Sussex has maintained a focus on the key priority outcome of keeping vulnerable people safe. The response letter recognises the improvements made following the last ILACS in 2023, in relation to the Public Law Outline, private fostering arrangements and neglect. 3.2 Ofsted also recognised the work to support many children to remain at home, through our connected families approach: Children on the edge of care but not receiving support through the pre-proceedings process can also benefit from exemplary and transformational support from an integrated multidisciplinary team of social workers, connected coaches and therapists. As a result, many children are supported to remain living at home with their families . 3.3 The visit and the subsequent response letter were resoundingly positive, including the encouraging recognition of leadership and of ESCC as a reflective and improvement driven local authority: Leaders have a clear understanding of their strengths and areas for development. The local authority’s self-evaluation is reflective and demonstrates a commitment to learning, developing social work practice, and responding to areas where development is needed. This understanding has been used by the Director of Children’s Services and her wider leadership team to drive ongoing improvement in the quality and impact of services for children. 3.4 Cabinet is asked to consider and comment on the contents of the inspection report and note that the areas of improvement set out in the 2023 ILACS have been addressed and recognised by Ofsted. It should be noted that the findings of this visit will be considered when planning the next inspection. This is likely to be an ILACS later next year (in line with the three-year cycle for this Ofsted framework).