Improvement Across Bedford Borough's Children's Services Confirmed

Ofsted has published its annual assessment of Bedford Borough Council's Children's Services, delivering an extremely positive report and increasing the Borough's overall grade from a 2 to a 3 - 'performing well' - on the 4-point scale.

The assessment reflects the performance across the full range of services for children and young people for which the Council has strategic or operational responsibilities, either alone or in partnership with others.

The strengths identified in last year's report continue to be recognised as strengths, while improvement has been identified in the proportion of good or better childcare, children's home, upper school and post 16 provision. The assessment followed a recent unannounced Ofsted inspection of safeguarding services for children which was extremely successful. It also follows the announcement of record GCSE and A Level results this year, which showed a marked improvement for the Borough's schools.

The Council has no more important functions than the safeguarding and the education of children and young people in Bedford Borough, and it is obviously very pleasing that the continuing improvement in services for children has been recognised. Congratulations are due to everyone involved in the vital, ongoing task of improving outcomes and opportunities for our children and young people. Particular thanks are also due to Education Portfolio Holder Cllr David Sawyer and Children's Social Care Portfolio Holder Cllr Sue Oliver for their considerable ongoing efforts in their respective portfolios.

What matters about this report is that it reflects the fact that improvements have been and are being made in services for children which are having a positive impact on their lives, and we will maintain our commitment to doing all we can to continue to provide the services that our children and young people deserve.