Nurtured workforce helps Rotherham achieve 'outstanding' rating
Rotherham’s children’s services have been rated “outstanding” by Ofsted after inspectors credited senior leaders with driving major improvements across the service.
Children in Rotherham live in stable homes that allow them to build trusting and consistent relationships with carers, Ofsted found. Picture: AdobeStock
In a report published following an inspection in November 2025, inspectors praised the council’s leadership team for providing clear strategic direction and sustained investment, saying leaders have “nurtured a confident, proud and inspired workforce” with a strong focus on professional development.
The judgment followed an inspection in November 2025, which found sustained improvement since the authority’s last review in 2022 – notable against a backdrop of rising demand and financial strain on children’s services nationally.
Following that inspection, senior leaders undertook a wholesale review of the council’s sufficiency strategy, leading to a reset of fostering and residential care provision.
Ofsted said the changes have created a more resilient and responsive placement system, increasing local provision and improving stability for children in care.
The council received the top rating for leadership and the impact of leaders on social work practice, services for children who need help and protection, and support for children in care.
Inspectors linked the council’s improvement to strong multi-agency working, highlighting effective partnership across children’s services, including police and health, as well as specialist safeguarding teams such as the multi-agency safeguarding hub (MASH), the Evolve exploitation service and the local authority designated officer (LADO) service.
Ofsted said most children in care, including disabled children and those placed outside the borough, live in stable homes that allow them to build trusting and consistent relationships with carers.
The report also praised the council’s response to 16- and 17-year-olds at risk of homelessness, saying young people are “listened to and taken seriously”, with professionals responding quickly and prioritising their safety.
Two areas for improvement were identified. Ofsted said the quality of pathway plans for care leavers needs to improve, alongside the consistency of health history information provided to young people as they leave care.
The judgment marks a significant shift from just over a decade ago. In 2014, every area of Rotherham’s children’s services was rated “inadequate” or “requires improvement”.