Something we thought we’d never see – Haringey rated as outstanding for Children’s Services

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Permalink Reply by Clive Carter 8 hours ago

THANKS Hugh.

Children's Services is far the most sensitive area of council responsibility as some residents with long memories may recall.

There was a Public Enquiry in connection with Victoria Climbié.

Lord Laming's Report (2003) was critical of the council. The then-Lead member for Social Services was named nine times (current local councillor Gina Adamou). A local lawyer once claimed to me that the council spent three million pounds on fees in order to evade responsibility.

Three years later there was Peter Connelly ("Baby P") and a shameful cover-up by the council, whose sole object appeared to be to protect council employees. At that time, the council's conduct was reprehensible (see: Aftermath).

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Recovering from such a background has obviously taken a great deal of time and effort in this hardest, most delicate area. Thus, the Ofsted Report is especially significant and well-earned.

Long may the outstanding work continue. It was put in by local Councillor and Cabinet Member Zena Brabazon and by the Director of Children’s services, Ann Graham.

All credit to them.

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Permalink Reply by Zena Brabazon 5 hours ago

Hi Hugh

Thanks for your kind comments. We have achieved this through sustained and continued teamwork, led by an outstanding Director of Children's Services, Ann Graham. I have been Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families since 2021 so I have seen the service develop, grow and embed ways of working which support children and families at every step, and where children's voices are really heard.  I work very closely with Ann to steer and lead the service and know that this repot reflects and confirms the depth of improvement across all areas of a very wide set of services.

Ofsted gave us a top rating (equivalent to outstanding) for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in 2024; our youth justice service was assessed as good with outstanding features also in 2024,   and our alternative provision - Haringey Learning Partnership was graded outstanding in an almost flawless inspection. 

Supporting Children's Services has been a full team effort by the Council and all my Cabinet colleagues.  Housing, leisure, environment, placemaking, community safety, all contribute to improving children's lives, and I am incredibly proud that Ofsted have recognised our work and our commitment to children and young people. 

Zena

Zena Brabazon
Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families

Cllr, Harringay ward

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Permalink Reply by Dominic Hinshelwood 4 hours ago

Well done Zena and all your colleagues

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Permalink Reply by Brian Mahoney 4 hours ago

This is literally the first time I have ever heard of Haringey Council providing a good service. I can only imagine the kind of institutional barriers that must have been overcome to achieve this. Well done Zena Brabazon.

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