23 June 2022

Camden Council’s children’s services have been rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted, placing Camden as one of the best performers in the country.

CNWL’s community children’s health services are integrated with the local authority in Camden in order to deliver services which safeguard children and young people in the borough.

Sarah Hulme, CNWL’s Head of Children, Young People and Family Services, Inner London says:

“This is a real validation of the quality of Camden’s children’s services, and as local NHS partners we are delighted with the outcome of the inspection. Children’s health staff work in partnership with the local authority at every level, operationally on the front line with families as well as at a strategic level, and we value our very strong relationships.”

Ofsted particularly referenced Camden’s response to the refugee crisis in Afghanistan saying, “the concerted and agile response to the sudden influx of people from Afghanistan seeking asylum was particularly impressive and involved key partners from both inside and outside the borough.”

Some key findings from Ofsted include:

  • Children receive focused and purposeful help from skilled early help practitioners that is making a real difference. Camden early help services are well resourced, and children and families benefit from a wide choice of support and community-based services.
  • Partnerships are highly effective, exemplifying a focus on prevention rather than intervention. The range of commissioned services and partnerships with external providers is impressive and used to full effect by practitioners, including mental health support.
  • Children in the care of Camden receive an outstanding service from workers who know them exceptionally well and use these relationships to fully respond to their needs as unique individuals.

You can read the report, which was published on Tuesday 21 June, here.