Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council has been issued an improvement notice by Ofsted following a June 2023 inspection. The notice was served after the council's performance in children's services was deemed inadequate. An improvement notice is a formal warning that a local authority is failing to meet the required standards, giving the council a specified timeframe to make necessary improvements.
The inspection, which took place in June 2023, found that the council was struggling to provide a safe and effective service for vulnerable children. This led to the Ofsted inspector issuing an improvement notice, which requires the council to make improvements by 2025. The notice highlights specific areas that need improvement, including children's social care and safeguarding.
Responding to the improvement notice, Oldham Council's leader, Coun Arooj Shah, stated that the council is committed to making the necessary improvements. 'We accept the findings of the inspection and are committed to working with Ofsted to make the necessary improvements to ensure that vulnerable children in Oldham receive the service they deserve,' she said.
The improvement notice has been welcomed by opposition councillors, who have long been critical of the council's performance. 'This is a long-overdue recognition of the serious problems that exist in Oldham's children's services,' said Coun Howard Sykes, leader of the Conservative group on the council.
The improvement notice will have significant implications for the people of Oldham, particularly those who rely on the council's children's services. The council will need to work closely with Ofsted to ensure that improvements are made, and that the service is safe and effective for all children.