Wakefield’s support for children in care rated ‘Outstanding’ in Ofsted report
Friday, July 18, 2025
Ofsted’s latest inspection report into its children’s services confirms the district continues to provide a Good overall service, with Outstanding support for children in care.
The report highlights the strength of Wakefield’s leadership, the dedication and stability of its workforce, and a clear commitment to achieving the best outcomes for children and young people.
Highlights from the Ofsted report include:
- outstanding support for children in care, including placement stability and emotional wellbeing services
- a highly skilled, well-supported workforce and strong management oversight
- child-centred care planning and creative life-story work
- an extensive early help offer through nine family hubs and three youth hubs
- strong political leadership and a clear culture of improvement
- above national average support for care leavers in education, training and employment
“We’re incredibly proud of the strengths this report reflects, particularly the recognition of our outstanding support for children in care. That is a testament to the commitment, care and professionalism of our teams across Wakefield.
"Our service has come a long way. We continue to lead the way nationally in many areas, including our sector-leading children's home model, with 40% of our homes rated Outstanding, compared to 2% nationally. And our investment in early help and prevention is delivering lasting results for families.”
Cllr Margaret Isherwood
Cabinet Member for Children and Young People
While the Council is pleased that Ofsted recognised continued improvement across the service since 2021, it is disappointed that the support provided to care leavers was judged as ‘Requires Improvement’, particularly given the strength of the local offer and outcomes achieved.
“The inspectors saw what we see every day – committed staff, strong relationships, and children who are heard, supported and thriving.
“We’re confident in the strength of our care leaver offer, particularly for young people over 21. Our data shows that 85% of young people aged 21+ remain in contact with us, compared to a national average of around 50%.
"While the report acknowledges progress in this area, we were disappointed that the judgement doesn’t reflect the full picture. We formally challenged elements of the inspection process and outcome. Unfortunately the judgement for this area of the service remains unchanged. We will continue to focus on what people would expect – improving lives rather than simple compliance.”
Vickey Schofield
Corporate Director for Children and Young People
Wakefield Council remains committed to continuous improvement, and will continue working with young people, staff and partners to deliver ambitious services that reflect the needs and aspirations of every child and family in the district.
Read the full report at Ofsted Inspection Report