"Committed, skilled and dedicated": high praise for Council's children's services!

Inspectors visited the Council in December 2021 to look at the local authority's arrangements for planning and achieving permanence for vulnerable children.

The focused inspection reviewed children's electronic case records, performance management information and case file audits.

And the report found a "determined and well-established leadership team" as well as social workers who "thoroughly enjoy" working for the Council and know their children "extremely well".

The authority was also praised for how it "swiftly responded" to the range of challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic.

Councillor Lisa Evans, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: "This is a really encouraging report and it's testament to the hard work and dedication of all our staff in children's services.

"It's heartening to know that vulnerable children who are in need of our help don't face delays thanks to the robust monitoring and tracking mechanisms in place.

"And it's clear that there's a very united feel to the excellent work undertaken across the Council by social workers and senior members of staff.

"This report is particularly impressive when you consider the array of challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic, such as working from home and maintaining face-to-face visits for children.

"Of course it is now important that we are far from complacent and ensure we build on this very pleasing report."