Joint Area Review (JAR) Results 2008

Following the JAR inspection, the results have now been published by Ofsted.

The following grades were achieved.

Grades

4: outstanding; 3: good; 2: adequate; 1: inadequate

Safeguarding 3
Looked after children 3
Learning difficulties and/or disabilities 3
Service management 3
Capacity to improve 3

To view the full Report and separate Action plan produced to address the JAR findings, please click the attached link.

The main findings of this joint area review are as follows:-

• The well-established Children’s Trust is based on strong ambition and a clear commitment to priorities based on improving outcomes for children and young people.
• Arrangements for safeguarding children and young people are good. The effective Shropshire Safeguarding Children’s Board (SSCB) is providing clear direction and leadership. The council’s strong focus on providing good preventative services is proving effective at improving the health and safety of children and young people, especially through multi-agency work. Child protection practice is good in almost all settings.
• Outcomes for looked after children and young people are good overall. Well-developed partnership working and flexible services are preventing the need for children and young people to become or remain looked after. However, too many looked after young people offend and although placement stability is improving it remains comparatively poor.
• Partnership working between social care, education and health services is effective in improving outcomes for children and young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. Educational provision for children and young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities is good and specialist provision very good. However, some parents seen during the inspection expressed dissatisfaction with some services.
• Health outcomes overall are good. Good partnership working, such as that found in children’s centres is having a positive impact. The integrated approach to teenage pregnancy, confidential health advice for teenagers and the Healthy Schools programme is leading to improved outcomes. Effective joint commissioning has led to improvements in the child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS).
• The engagement and participation of children and young people in decision making is very good, including those from vulnerable groups.
• The youth service makes a good contribution to the Every Child Matters outcomes, particularly through the high quality provision for children and young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.