The inspection commended the Council’s response to recent challenges, including the 2020 cyber-attack, the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on Black and global majority residents, and the repercussions of the Child Q case.
Ofsted inspectors praised Hackney’s professional and political leaders for prioritising children’s needs, enhancing engagement with all communities, strengthening partnerships, and significantly improving children’s services.
The report notes that early help workers, in collaboration with statutory, community, and voluntary sector partners, effectively support children and families with culturally specific solutions.
Social workers were noted for their regular visits, relationship-building, and swift action to ensure child safety. Looked-after children were found to be in stable, supportive homes, with access to specialist care and support if needed.
"Children in care routinely have their physical and emotional health needs assessed and met. Children who have experienced trauma or have complex needs benefit from specialist care and therapeutic support from Hackney’s inhouse clinical services." Ofsted
"Children in care routinely have their physical and emotional health needs assessed and met. Children who have experienced trauma or have complex needs benefit from specialist care and therapeutic support from Hackney’s inhouse clinical services."
Ofsted
The report highlights that Hackney's social workers listen to children and ensure their views are considered in decisions affecting them. Strong processes are in place to keep children within their family networks whenever possible, and care leavers continue to receive support as they transition to adulthood.
Ofsted also founud that unaccompanied asylum-seeking children are well-supported by knowledgeable social workers who understand the impact of their past traumas. Hackney’s efforts to address structural racism and better understand the needs and traumas of the children and families they serve were also commended by inspectors.
Councillor Anntoinette Bramble, Deputy Mayor of Hackney, expressed her satisfaction with the Ofsted findings.
“We were delighted to see that Ofsted inspectors found our Children’s Services to be good, recognising the progress made in the last years, despite the many challenges that the borough continues to face." "We are incredibly proud of our staff, all of whom have worked tirelessly to achieve this result. We will continue to address the challenges our care leavers face and do everything in our power to support them as they begin their independent journeys." Anntoinette Bramble, Hackney Council
“We were delighted to see that Ofsted inspectors found our Children’s Services to be good, recognising the progress made in the last years, despite the many challenges that the borough continues to face."
"We are incredibly proud of our staff, all of whom have worked tirelessly to achieve this result. We will continue to address the challenges our care leavers face and do everything in our power to support them as they begin their independent journeys."
Anntoinette Bramble, Hackney Council
On the back of Ofsted's feedback Hackney Council will look to further improving the experiences of care leavers, particularly in securing stable accommodation and ensuring consistent support as they transition into adulthood.
Overall, Ofsted found that Hackney's social workers feel supported in their roles. Staff particularly appreciate reduced caseloads, training opportunities, and the positive effect that partnership working is having on social work practice. Read the full report here.
"All workers spoken to reported that they enjoy working for Hackney. They spoke very highly of the model of practice and expressed strong commitment to the borough and its children." Ofsted
"All workers spoken to reported that they enjoy working for Hackney. They spoke very highly of the model of practice and expressed strong commitment to the borough and its children."
Find find out more about working in Hackney. The borough's recent success is yet another positive result for London; collectively our local authorities boast the strongest Ofsted ratings of any region in the country. View all of London's current children's social work roles.