Children’s Services at the London Borough of Bexley has once again been commended for its commitment to delivering high-quality support to children and families, following a focused visit by Ofsted inspectors on 13 and 14 February 2025.
The visit examined the Council’s services for children in need, those subject to a child protection plan and support for young people at risk of homelessness or exploitation. Ofsted’s report highlighted Bexley’s continued dedication to outstanding social work practice, noting strong leadership, effective multi-agency partnerships and a highly skilled workforce that provides consistent and responsive care.
Key findings from the report include:
- A steadfast commitment from political, corporate and senior leaders to delivering excellent services for children and families.
- Strong partnership working ensuring that children’s needs are met through cohesive multi-agency responses.
- An impressive performance management system providing leaders with a clear view of service impact.
- Effective support for children at risk of homelessness, with holistic assessments and comprehensive accommodation options available.
- Significant progress in addressing child exploitation risks through clear communication systems and robust intervention strategies.
The report also acknowledged areas for further improvement, particularly around the timeliness of responses for children subject to repeat child protection plans and the need for more consistent written documentation regarding young people’s rights and entitlements.
Cllr Chris Taylor, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said:
We are incredibly proud of the dedication and hard work of our Children’s Services teams. Their unwavering commitment to improving the lives of young people in Bexley is reflected in this report and we are pleased to see Ofsted recognising our strengths. We know that there is always more to do and we remain focused on ensuring that every child receives the best possible support and opportunities to thrive.”
Find out more about how you could make Bexley even better by joining our 'Outstanding' Children's Services teams.