Following the release of the ILACs report today, Cllr George Perfect, Shadow Lead Member for Children’s Services, made the following statement on behalf of the opposition on Medway Council:
As the principal opposition, we are delighted that the positive Ofsted Inspection of Local Authority Children's Services (ILACs) report means that Medway’s Children’s Services is now good. It makes clear that there has been substantial progress made since the last inspection in 2019, and details confidence in the leadership of the service as it continues to drive forward improvements. Over the past four years, under a Conservative administration, our former Leader, Alan Jarrett, and Cabinet, were steadfast in their commitment to improving the service, and we are pleased that this has been recognised by Ofsted today.
We pay tribute to the improvement journey that is being led by the Deputy Chief Executive, along with a talented and exceptionally hard-working team of senior executives, middle leaders and officers who are equally committed to delivering the necessary improvements to the service.
We have always been clear, that journeys such as the one Medway has been on, take time, and that improvements are having a sustained impact. We publicly acknowledge the work of former Portfolio Holders Josie Iles and Martin Potter, who worked tirelessly over the past four years at member level to drive these improvements. The report acknowledges the strong political leadership at Medway over the past four years, reflected throughout the report, but particularly in the work of the high performing Corporate Parenting Board. The administration were held to account by a robust scrutiny team led by past Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Chair, Cllr Barry Kemp, and a committed team of members. Children in Medway have access to a better service today because of their collective hard work and dedication.
We remain steadfast in our pledge to work constructively with the new administration on all matters, but, particularly in relation to children’s services. I welcome the strong engagement that I have already had with the Leader of the Council, Portfolio Holders for Children's Services and Education, and senior officers in this area. Scrutiny and robust constructive opposition are vital to ensure the improvements made are sustained.
We believe that the best way to level up and deliver social progress is to give every child the best start in life, and on that we delivered - 90% of Medway’s schools are good or outstanding, four thriving universities with 12,000 plus students, and now, a good children’s services.
Today is a good day in Medway.
