A major milestone has been achieved in the delivery of services for children and families in Sandwell.
For over a decade Children’s Services in Sandwell were rated inadequate. Today, for the first time, they have been rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted - a transformation that reflects years of determination and improvement.
Sandwell Children’s Trust was established in 2018 to run Children's Social Care Services on behalf of the Council. This judgement follows seven years of dedicated work, with the Trust and council working in partnership to drive improvement and change.
Inspectors praised the significant improvements made since 2022, when services were rated ‘requires improvement to be good'. Inspectors reported that children and families who need it effective help and support and social workers act quickly when children need protection. Responses to domestic abuse and exploitation concerns are well coordinated and children who are looked after by Sandwell are living in safe, stable homes and have strong relationships with social workers. Children’s own views help to shape care plans, their health needs are prioritised and education outcomes are improving. Inspectors highlighted sustained leadership, strong partnerships, with improvements are delivering positive outcomes across all areas of children’s social care services.
For care experienced young people, inspectors recognised significant progress with a few areas identified for improvement. The majority of young people experience positive relationships with personal advisers and benefit from a comprehensive local offer. Leaders are already making further improvements in this area, making sure that all young people are fully aware of their rights and entitlements and building on the good work that was recognised.
Leadership was highlighted as a key strength, with clear strategic direction and governance. A strong learning culture was noted in the Trust, with an embedded practice model and workforce strategy that supports professional growth and stability. Equity, diversity and inclusion remains a priority, and staff describe leaders as visible, approachable, and supportive, contributing to a positive organisational culture.
"We want our borough to be a great place for children to grow up, so I am extremely proud of the progress made across Children’s Services and the dedication of our teams to support children and families in our community who most need our support."
Sandwell Children’s Trust’s Chair, Graham Archer said:
"This recognition reflects the hard work of Trust staff, strong leadership and close working with our partners over many years. The progress we have made is not just about systems and processes – it is about real change in the lives of children and families. Children in Sandwell are living in safe, stable homes, receiving the support they need and experiencing positive outcomes. The Board is proud of these achievements and how far we have come, and we will continue to build on this success to make an even greater difference for Sandwell’s children."
Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Families, Councillor Jalal Uddin said:
"This is a vital part of Sandwell’s improvement journey. Our ambition doesn’t stop here, and we know there is more to do, particularly for our care experienced young people. We remain focused on building on these improvements to ensure every child and young person in Sandwell has the support they need to thrive."
Sandwell Children’s Trust’s Chief Executive, Emma Taylor said:
“This judgement is a testament to the knowledge, skill, dedication and professionalism of all our workforce. Every improvement has been driven by a commitment to put children at the heart of everything we do. I am proud of the progress we’ve made, our ambition is strong and we will continue to strive for excellence in everything we do to help and support children and families in Sandwell.”
This progress reflects Sandwell’s commitment to its Child Friendly principles – ensuring children are safe, healthy, heard, included, and empowered. Together, the Sandwell partnership aims to make Sandwell a place where every child feels valued, has opportunities to learn and grow, and can influence decisions that affect their lives.
You can read the full Ofsted report on their website Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council - Open - Find an Inspection Report - Ofsted